HB1305 requires the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports to convene a stakeholder workgroup to study how well its current grant-making framework is working. The workgroup must evaluate whether the “pilot hub model” is effectively matching community behavioral health providers with the needs identified by local school systems, whether grantees are meeting expected behavioral health outcomes, whether school systems’ needs are being adequately considered in grant decisions, and whether grant awards are distributed equitably across the state.
The bill also temporarily halts new grant awards for fiscal year 2026 under the relevant Education Article provision, with grants allowed to resume in fiscal year 2027 only if the workgroup’s report concludes that the model is effective and that funding is being distributed equitably statewide. The workgroup must report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by December 1, 2025, and the act is set to expire on June 30, 2026.
Impact
HB1305 would temporarily suspend the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports’ authority to award grant funding for FY 2026 and condition the resumption of funding on a favorable study outcome. In practical terms, it affects the administration of community behavioral health supports in schools, the distribution of grant dollars to providers, and the relationship between the Consortium, local school systems, and community-based service providers. It does not permanently rewrite the underlying grant program, but it places a one-year pause and creates a legislative review process that could influence future implementation and funding policy under § 7–447.1 of the Education Article.
Sentiment
The bill appears to reflect concern about whether the current grant framework is working as intended and whether funding is being allocated fairly across Maryland. Because the bill is structured as a study with a funding pause, the overall tone is cautious and oversight-oriented rather than expansionary. The available record does not include committee testimony or vote details, so there is no direct evidence of broad support or opposition in the provided materials.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be whether the Consortium’s pilot hub model is effectively serving local school system needs and whether grant awards have been distributed equitably among regions and school systems. Supporters would likely emphasize accountability, statewide fairness, and better alignment between providers and school needs. Opponents may object to the FY 2026 funding moratorium, arguing that pausing grants could disrupt behavioral health services for students and families or slow implementation of an existing program before the study is complete.
Establishes three-year nonpublic school pupil transportation pilot program in Ocean County to provide funding to county consortium of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing.
Expands eligible grantees under New Jersey Civic Information Consortium; establishes provisions for tracking and reporting progress of grantee; requires grantee to post statement on Internet website.