ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore signed several bills into law this week, aimed at improving education, supporting veterans and military families, and strengthening ethics standards for elected officials.

One of the most significant bills, the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act, seeks to address the state’s teacher shortage by launching a national recruitment campaign and supporting the Grow Your Own Educators Program, which provides debt-free pathways to obtaining a teaching license. The act also focuses on improving administrative aspects of the Community Schools program to ensure more consistent implementation statewide and drive student achievement.

“Today, we are hardening and honoring a true spirit of selfless service in Maryland,” said Gov. Moore. “The legislation we signed this afternoon uplifts the aspirations of our students by closing the teacher shortage, improving academic achievement, and investing responsibly in our schools.”

In a nod to transparency and accountability, Governor Moore signed a bill mandating that the Governor of Maryland place all interests in a blind trust, with certain exceptions outlined by the State Ethics Commission. The bill also outlines penalties for non-compliance by the governor and business entities.

Governor Moore also demonstrated his commitment to supporting veterans and military families by signing a series of bills, including one that allows county or municipal governments to provide up to 30 days of paid leave for employees participating in uniformed services training or active duty in reserve units. This bill also extends disaster service leave with pay to employees who are members of various volunteer organizations, including the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Maryland Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

A complete list of the bills signed into law is available online here.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via the Maryland Governor’s Office

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