The Montgomery County Board of Education reviewed and acted on a set of proposed state bills Feb. 20, 2025, instructing its legislative affairs staff to carry those positions to Annapolis and to report back as bills are amended. The board recorded unanimous votes on each stance taken during the meeting.

The board voted to oppose House Bill 232/SB 346 (Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program), citing roughly $1.8 million estimated upfront costs to implement a deposit‑refund program for beverage containers across district operations and additional staff overhead the system could not absorb. The board's memo said recovery through returned containers was uncertain because the system does not charge per item in cafeterias.

The board opposed HB 543 (County Board of Education substance abuse treatment student information disclosure policy) on the grounds that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) already includes exceptions that permit disclosure to protect health and safety; board staff said the bill would be duplicative.

The board opposed HB 689 (restrictions on use of Medical Assistance reimbursement funds), saying the proposed limits would convert roughly $5.2 million in annual revenue into $2.2 million of allowable uses under the bill's narrow definitions and create an estimated $3 million shortfall for special education supports that MCPS currently funds with those reimbursements. Board members said local systems were best positioned to set priorities for those funds.

The board also opposed HB 811/SB 526 (Safe Alternative Routes to Public Schools), saying the requirement to prepare annual safe‑pathway reports and a likely county construction responsibility could impose multi‑million dollar costs; staff cited a cited fiscal note estimating costs in the tens of millions in early years.

The board voted to support SB 355 (delay of Family & Medical Leave Insurance Program implementation), favoring a two‑year postponement to allow state regulators and employers more time to plan and to mitigate immediate fiscal impact on employees and school finances.

It supported HB 608/SB 821 (Primary and Secondary Education Student Immunization Temporary Admission Period), which would allow a 60‑calendar‑day temporary admission period for students who lack required immunizations if families provide proof of a scheduled appointment within that window.

On a broad, multicomponent measure introduced as the "Governor's Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act" (HB 504/SB 429), the board did not adopt a single blanket position. Staff recommended "support with amendments" for some provisions (such as increased MSDE staffing for community schools and a special‑education funding study) while opposing provisions that would delay planned collaborative time funding in the Blueprint for Maryland and that would shift or reduce local per‑pupil foundation funding. Because the bill is lengthy and evolving, board members asked staff to continue engagement with the county delegation, MABE and P‑12 partners; the board postponed taking a final, firm position pending amendments and further analysis.

Board members emphasized they would revisit positions as bills are amended, and staff said they would submit late testimony or updates to the bill files and consult with Montgomery County delegates and senators during the session.

Votes at a glance (selected items discussed Feb. 20):
- HB 232 / SB 346 (Beverage container deposit program) — Motion: Oppose; Outcome: Unanimous oppose.
- HB 543 (Student information for substance treatment) — Motion: Oppose; Outcome: Unanimous oppose.
- HB 689 (Medical Assistance reimbursement restrictions) — Motion: Oppose; Outcome: Unanimous oppose.
- HB 811 (Safe routes to school / sidewalks) — Motion: Oppose; Outcome: Unanimous oppose.
- SB 355 (Delay Family & Medical Leave Insurance) — Motion: Support; Outcome: Unanimous support.
- HB 608 / SB 821 (60‑day temporary immunization admission) — Motion: Support; Outcome: Unanimous support.
- HB 504 / SB 429 (Governor's Excellence Act) — Staff recommended support with amendments for some items and opposition for others; board asked staff to continue engagement and did not lock in a single final stance immediately.

Board members noted the actions were conditional on evolving fiscal notes and amendments and instructed staff to report back as bills proceed.