The Maryland General Assembly recently approved a reading screening and early intervention bill that would screen all Kindergarten students for risks of reading difficulty.  The bill will take effect in school year 2020-2021.  Learn More about SB 734.

SB 734, The Maryland Ready to Read Act, was unanimously approved by the Maryland legislature and awaits signature by Governor Larry Hogan. Please thank Senate sponsor Craig Zucker (D-Montgomery) and House sponsor Eric Luedtke (D-Montgomery) who championed the Ready to Read Screening and Interventions bill to victory this session!

About the bill: Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, SB 734 will enable Maryland’s twenty-four school districts to provide reading screening to ALL Kindergarten students to determine if they are at risk for reading difficulties. If screening data indicates that a student may be at risk, a prevention framework is set in motion and students at risk for reading difficulties will receive supplemental reading instruction in their areas of need. 
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SB 734 also requires parent engagement, reporting, and funding through the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (SB 1030).

On Wednesday, March 27, 2019, SB 734 moved closer to becoming law when it received an unanimous vote on the House floor.  The Senate is expected to concur with the three technical amendments added by House Ways & Means Committee, and no further changes to the legislation are expected.  Once the Senate concurs, the bill is expected to be signed by the Governor.

The Ready to Read bill requires screening & interventions for students at risk for reading difficulties and was heard by the House Ways & Means Committee on Thursday, March 21.  Senator Craig Zucker testified in support of the bill in a "sponsor only" hearing.  Later in the afternoon, the House Ways & Means Education Subcommittee, Chaired by Del. Eric Luedtke, brought the bill up for discussion -- three technical amendments were added to the bill and the subcommittee passed the bill unanimously where it then received unanimous support from the full Ways & Means committee.  

For amended language, please visit the General Assembly website and see the DDMD State Legislative summary.