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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland permanently removes time limit on using poverty grant funds for fine arts programs in schools
Last action · January 22, 2026: Hearing 2/03 at 2:00 p.m. (Budget and Taxation)Sponsor: Cory McCray
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate Bill 289 permanently authorizes public schools receiving personnel and per pupil grants to use those funds for required fine arts instructional programs, removing the previous expiration date of 2027.
Schools participating in the Concentration of Poverty grant program retain ongoing funding flexibility to maintain fine arts instruction beyond the previously scheduled 2027 cutoff.
- The Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program was established under Maryland law to provide supplemental personnel and per pupil grants to schools with high concentrations of students in poverty. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
public schools with a high concentration of eligible students
Eligible schools gain permanent authorization to use personnel and per pupil grants for required fine arts instructional programs without a 2027 expiration date.
Key Facts
- Senate Bill 289 repeals the fiscal year 2027 expiration date on using Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program personnel and per pupil grants for fine arts instructional programs.
- The Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program provides personnel and per pupil grants to eligible public schools with high concentrations of eligible students.
- The Act takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Senate Bill 289 change about school grant funding?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 22, 2026SenateHearing 2/03 at 2:00 p.m. (Budget and Taxation)
- Jan 21, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Budget and Taxation and Education, Energy, and the Environment
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
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Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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