As a member of the Education, Energy, and the Environment (EEE) Committee, I work to strengthen Maryland's education system by supporting key investments in our students, teachers, and schools. As a legislator and also a proud parent of kids in Howard County Public Schools, I remain committed to improving the quality of education and student resources across the state.
I am focused on how emerging technologies continue to reshape our world, and how they impact our children. I have introduced legislation to improve digital literacy, create guardrails around AI-generated content, and establish safeguards and training that help educators and students navigate these new technologies. Maryland has an opportunity to lead in AI adoption while ensuring students are properly protected, prepared, and empowered to use these technologies appropriately.
In general, I support policies to:
- Fully fund our schools and ensure students, teachers, and staff have the resources they need to succeed,
- Increase mental and behavioral health support for students and young adults,
- Increase student safety, physically and online, and prepare them for unprecedented technological advancements with AI,
- Prohibit the inappropriate use of cell phones by students in classrooms and other technology that distracts from learning, and
- Expand career and technical education opportunities that connect students with high-demand industries.
Legislation I have passed includes:
**SB0720/HB1057 – AI Ready Schools Act (2026)
Requires the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to issue and annually update statewide guidance on artificial intelligence in schools, including expectations for AI literacy, responsible use, and instructional best practices, which local school systems must implement.
SB0928/HB0525 - The Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act (2026)
Mandates that local school boards develop and enact thoughtful, community-informed policies to prohibit cell phone use throughout the school day. The law is designed to help reduce classroom distractions and support more focused learning environments, while giving local communities flexibility to develop policies that meet the needs of their students and schools.
**SB0601/HB0957 Cybersecurity - Standards and Compliance (2026)
Strengthens cybersecurity protections for Maryland’s K-12 public schools by requiring each local school system to designate a cybersecurity point of contact, comply with and certify compliance with State minimum cybersecurity standards, and conduct a cybersecurity maturity assessment every two years to improve cybersecurity readiness and resilience.
**SB0893/HB1219 - Maryland Educator Shortage Reduction Act (2023)
Created the Teacher Development and Retention Program to support educator preparation goals, a recruitment/retention/diversity dashboard, and expanded alternative certification pathways, and made changes to the Teaching Fellows program.
**SB0705/HB1255 - Restraint & Seclusion Ban Act (2022)
Strengthens protections for Maryland students by largely prohibiting seclusion and limiting physical restraint to situations involving imminent serious physical harm when less-restrictive interventions have failed. The law also established stricter reporting, accountability, and behavioral-intervention training requirements to improve student safety and reduce the use of restraint and seclusion in schools.
SB1000/HB1300 - Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (2021)
10-year, multi-billion-dollar investment to transform and bolster Maryland's public education system, with major investments in early childhood education, educator recruitment and retention, college and career readiness, and support for underserved students. The Blueprint is projected to increase state education investment by approximately $3.9 billion and local investment by at least $700 million by FY2034, while establishing a statewide accountability structure to monitor implementation and outcomes.
(**Denotes Legislation I Sponsored)
