Maryland legislature approves House Bill 325 for bilingual GED testing options

The Education, Energy, and Environment (EEE) Committee of the Maryland General Assembly convened on March 27, 2025, to discuss several key legislative items, including House Bills 286, 325, and 932. The meeting focused on amendments, voting outcomes, and the implications of each bill.

The session began with a vote on House Bill 286, which passed with a motion carrying 10 to 1 after modifications were made based on recommendations from the Department of Planning. Following this, the committee moved to House Bill 325, which addresses adult education and high school diploma requirements. This bill mandates that the Maryland Department of Labor allow individuals to take the GED examination in their language of choice, including Spanish, and requires a report on the feasibility of offering the exam in additional languages by December 1, 2026. An amendment to change the effective date from October 1 to July 1 was discussed and approved unanimously, leading to the bill's passage.

Next, House Bill 932 was introduced, focusing on public ethics and conflicts of interest for the governor. This legislation requires the governor to place all interests in a blind trust within six months of taking office or divest interests that may pose a conflict. The bill also mandates transparency through the publication of blind trust agreements and financial disclosures. The committee noted that the House had passed this bill unanimously, with a vote of 139 to 0.

During the discussion, Senator Simon Ayre raised a question regarding the inclusion of the Lieutenant Governor in the bill's provisions. The response highlighted the unique powers of the governor in Maryland, suggesting that future amendments could consider additional constitutional officers.

The committee concluded by discussing Senate Bill 723, a cross-file of House Bill 932. A motion was made to align the Senate bill with the provisions of House Bill 932, including the fining provisions that were not part of the original Senate bill. This motion was seconded and supported by the committee, indicating a collaborative effort to ensure consistency across both legislative measures.

Overall, the meeting demonstrated a focused approach to addressing educational requirements and ethical governance in Maryland, with significant bipartisan support for the proposed legislation. The committee's next steps will involve further discussions and potential amendments as the bills progress through the legislative process.