MD SB720: Education - Artificial Intelligence - Guidelines, Professional Development, and Collaborative (Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act)

In one paragraph

Maryland's SB 720, the Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act, requires the State Department of Education to provide AI guidance online, with separate guidance for students, educators, administrators and parents, offer AI professional development, and publish a rubric that local school systems must use to evaluate AI tools. Each local school system must name a central-office AI coordinator and must have an AI policy within 120 days after the guidance is released. By June 1, 2027, AI literacy must be in K-12 computer science and workforce standards. An AI Education Collaborative reports by December 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2028. Approved May 26, 2026 (Chapter 634); effective June 1, 2026.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

No duties for businesses. AI edtech vendors are affected indirectly: Maryland local school systems must review and select AI tools using the State rubric and procure them consistent with State Finance and Procurement Title 3.5, Subtitle 8.

Key provisions

1. 1Adds Education Article §§ 7-2201 to 7-2204 (Subtitle 22, Artificial Intelligence in Education); "artificial intelligence" has the meaning in State Finance and Procurement § 3.5-801
2. 2§ 7-2202(a): the Department must provide AI guidance through an online platform that promotes safe, responsible, equitable and ethical use and AI literacy and addresses how State and federal privacy and accessibility standards apply; it must publish separate guidance for students, educators, administrators, and parents and guardians and review it each year
3. 3§ 7-2202(c): within 120 days after the Department releases the guidance, each local school system must have an AI policy aligned with it; § 7-2202(d): each must also designate a coordinator with the State on AI use, employed at the central office as noninstructional staff (no deadline is set)
4. 4§ 7-2202(e)-(f): the Department must develop and publish a rubric (and other evaluative tools as necessary) for judging whether AI tools are consistent with State guidelines; each local school system must use them to review and select AI tools (Morgan State or another 4-year Maryland institution may help on request) and must procure AI tools consistent with State Finance and Procurement Title 3.5, Subtitle 8
5. 5§ 7-2203: by June 1, 2027, AI literacy must be a component of K-12 workforce preparation and computer science standards; the Department must provide AI professional development to educators and school leaders during the workday or as a course eligible for licensure renewal credit
6. 6§ 7-2204: the Maryland AI Education Collaborative on Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education studies AI use in each local school system, by January 1, 2027 recommends a process for the State Board to update content standards on AI, and must report by December 1, 2027 and each December 1 after
7. 7Section 3: Section 2 (the Collaborative) remains effective for 2 years and is abrogated at the end of May 31, 2028
8. 8Approved by the Governor May 26, 2026 (Chapter 634 of 2026; cross-filed with HB 1057); effective June 1, 2026

Latest legislative action

May 26, 2026. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 634

Sponsors (showing 5 of 6)

Roll call votes

Amendments (2)

• Favorable with Amendments 983227/1 Adopted Adopted 2026-03-19
• Favorable with Amendments 783421/1 Adopted Adopted 2026-04-11

Related and companion bills

• Maryland SB906Education - Artificial Intelligence - Guidelines, Professional Development, and Task Force
• Maryland HB1391Education - Artificial Intelligence - Guidelines and Professional Development