Maryland's AI Ready Schools Act effective June 1

Maryland’s Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act took effect on June 1, 2026, putting new statewide requirements on public school systems as districts decide how to use AI in classrooms and school operations. The measure, enacted as Chapter 634 after passage as Senate Bill 720, requires each local school system to designate a coordinator for AI use and ties district planning to guidance developed by the Maryland State Department of Education. (mgaleg.maryland.gov) The law also directs the department to publish guidance, best practices and evaluative tools for AI in K-12 schools. (mgaleg.maryland.gov) State education officials have already begun rolling out that framework. ### What exactly took effect on June 1? Senate Bill 720, titled the “Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act,” lists an effective date of June 1, 2026, on the Maryland General Assembly’s legislation page. (marylandpublicschools.org) The bill was approved by the governor as Chapter 634, according to the same page. The enrolled bill says the act concerns “Education – Artificial Intelligence – Guidelines, Professional Development, and Collaborative” and requires the state education department to provide AI guidance through an online platform. It also requires each local school system to designate a coordinator for the use of artificial intelligence and requires each county board of education to have an AI policy by a specified deadline in the law. (mgaleg.maryland.gov) ### What do Maryland school systems now have to do? Each local school system must designate a coordinator for the use of artificial intelligence, according to the enrolled bill text. The law also says county boards of education must have an AI policy and that local systems must procure AI tools consistent with state law and department guidance. (mgaleg.maryland.gov) MSDE’s February 24 guidance memo says the state framework is designed to help local education agencies, schools and partners make decisions about whether and how AI is used in teaching, learning and school operations. The memo says the framework is grounded in equity, transparency, privacy, accountability and continuous improvement, and that it includes a Local Action Planning Guide, a Classroom Companion and an AI Tool Evaluation Rubric. (mgaleg.maryland.gov) ### What is the state telling schools to follow? Carey M. Wright, Maryland’s state superintendent of schools, said in a February 24 memo to the State Board of Education that the guidance is meant to ensure AI “strengthens teaching and learning while protecting student privacy, advancing equity, and preserving human judgment.” The memo describes the approach as “human-centered” and says it is intended to establish statewide guardrails while preserving local autonomy in tool selection and implementation. (mgaleg.maryland.gov) The Maryland State Department of Education’s AI page says the agency is providing guidance, support and resources to help school systems integrate AI tools “safely, ethically, and effectively.” The page also points users to the department’s AI hub and other guidance materials for local education agencies. (marylandpublicschools.org) ### Does the law only cover classroom chatbots? MSDE’s guidance says AI in schools extends beyond classroom use and includes instructional platforms, productivity tools and operational systems used across Maryland’s public schools. The memo says the state sees opportunities in differentiated instruction and administrative support, but also identifies risks tied to privacy, bias, academic integrity and over-reliance on automated systems. (marylandpublicschools.org) The enrolled bill also goes beyond student-facing tools. It directs the department to develop evaluative tools to help local school systems assess AI products selected for use and says AI literacy must be included as a component of workforce preparation standards in consultation with the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. (marylandpublicschools.org) ### Where can educators and families look next? The Maryland State Department of Education has posted an AI information page and says additional K-12 instructional AI guidance is coming soon. The site also links to an AI hub, a policy on responsible use of AI tools and guidance for local education agencies. (marylandpublicschools.org) The next practical step for districts is local implementation. Maryland’s law is already in effect as of June 1, 2026, and the state’s published framework gives school systems, educators and families the documents they will use as county boards and designated AI coordinators put those requirements into practice. (mgaleg.maryland.gov) (marylandpublicschools.org) (mgaleg.maryland.gov)