We are tracking a critical piece of emergency legislation: Senate Bill 863 (The Prince George's County Special Education Service Delivery, Transparency, and Accountability Act). This bill is a direct response to years of systemic failure that have forced families to leave the district just to secure the basic education their children are legally owed.
What’s at Stake?
For too long, the burden of proof has rested on parents to fight for services that the data already proves are necessary. SB 863 aims to flip the script by mandating:
Full-Time Support: Requires PGCPS to provide full-time salaries and benefits for one-to-one student aides to fix the vacancy crisis.
Independent Oversight: Mandates a third-party audit of special education services from 2021-2025, including a "heatmap" to identify schools with chronic noncompliance.
Real-Time Transparency: Requires quarterly updates on missed service minutes and the status of compensatory services.
Mandatory Training: Ensures all special education staff receive quarterly professional development.
The Conflict of Interest
While families struggle, many legislators on the Education Committee continue to receive significant donations from the very unions and board associations responsible for maintaining the status quo. It is time for our representatives to choose students over donors.
Take Action Now!
We cannot allow another school year to go by where "instructional salaries" and "special education" are just line items in a budget that fails our kids!
Email AA_EHE@mga.maryland.gov Education, Energy, and Environment Committee
Bill Sponsor Senator Alonzo Washington alonzo.washington@senate.maryland.gov
Senator Brian Feldman brian.feldman@senate.maryland.gov (Committee Chair)
Senator Cheryl Kagan Cheryl.Kagan@senate.maryland.gov (Committee Vice Chair)
Senator Ron Watson ron.watson@senate.maryland.gov (PGC Senator)
Senator Kevin Harris kevin.harris@senate.maryland.gov (PGC Senator)
Senator Mary Washington mary.washington@senate.maryland.gov (Education Subcommittee Chair)