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SB 204MARYLANDSession 2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Maryland Establishes Civic Excellence Program to Award Seals to High School Students

Original title: Public Schools - Maryland Civic Excellence Program - Established

Last action · May 26, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 677Sponsors: Cheryl Kagan and 22 others

Companion · HB 57same policy, House version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

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Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Does

Maryland establishes the Maryland Civic Excellence Program to recognize public high school students for civic readiness and engagement by awarding a seal of civic excellence. Participating s must require students to complete a civic service capstone project through an extracurricular activity. The State Board of Education must adopt regulations establishing criteria for the program no later than the 2027-2028 school year.

Why it matters

Participating public high school students can earn a visual insignia, cord, or medal on their diploma for civics proficiency, while s must establish application criteria and submit annual reports starting July 1, 2028.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

public high school students

Students in participating school systems are eligible to receive a seal of civic excellence, cord, or medal on their diploma upon fulfilling civics proficiency and capstone project criteria.

Directly affected

local school systems

Local school systems may choose to participate, must implement the program using State Board guidelines if they do, and must submit annual reports starting July 1, 2028.

Directly affected

State Department of Education

The Department is required to administer the program and receive annual reports from participating local school systems.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are local school systems required to participate in the Maryland Civic Excellence Program?

No, participation is optional for s.

What must a student do to receive a seal of civic excellence?

A student must fulfill the criteria established in regulations by the State Board, which includes completing a civic service capstone project through an extracurricular activity focused on state, county, or local government.

How is the award displayed to the student?

Participating s award the student a seal of civic excellence and recognize the award by awarding a cord or medal or by attaching other insignia on the student's high school diploma.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

19 actions

May 26, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolled
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 677
Apr 13, 2026SenateFloor
Passed Enrolled
Apr 13, 2026SenateFloor
Third Reading Passed (46-0)
Apr 13, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Concurs House Amendments
Apr 13, 2026HouseFloor
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Apr 10, 2026HouseFloor
Second Reading Passed with Amendments

Show 13 earlier actions

Apr 10, 2026House
Favorable with Amendments { 403823/1 Adopted
Apr 10, 2026HouseCommittee
Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
Mar 25, 2026House
Hearing 3/25 at 1:30 p.m.
Mar 25, 2026House
Hearing canceled
Mar 16, 2026House
Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
Feb 20, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred Ways and Means
Feb 19, 2026SenateFloor
Third Reading Passed (43-0)
Feb 17, 2026SenateFloor
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
Feb 17, 2026Senate
Favorable with Amendments { 883529/1 Adopted
Feb 16, 2026SenateCommittee
Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
Jan 16, 2026Senate
Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m.
Jan 14, 2026SenateIntroduced
First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
Aug 20, 2025SenateIntroduced
Pre-filed

Version history

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