Maryland now requires every local school system to have a written AI policy. If your organization runs programs in schools or partners with a district, expect questions about the AI tools you use. Here is what changed and how to get ready. Information current as of October 7, 2026. I will update this post if the details change.

This is general education, not legal advice.

What the law does

The Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act (Senate Bill 720) was signed on May 26, 2026 as Chapter 634 and took effect June 1, 2026. According to the General Assembly’s bill page and fiscal note, it:

• directs the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to provide AI guidance and tools for evaluating AI products to school systems, educators, parents and students;
• creates the Maryland AI Education Collaborative for K-12 education; and
• requires each local school system to adopt an AI policy, designate an AI coordinator and set procedures for buying and evaluating AI tools.

One thing to check: the deadline

The law gives school systems 120 days to adopt a policy. The legislature’s fiscal note counts that from the law’s effective date, which would put the deadline in late September 2026. Some press coverage describes the clock as running from MSDE’s guidance instead. I could not settle that from public sources, so ask your district what date it is working to and whether its policy is already adopted.

What this means for partner organizations

This section is my analysis, not a statement of what the law requires of you. The law applies to school systems, not to community organizations. But districts that must now vet AI tools and name an AI coordinator are likely to ask the partners who work with students the same questions. Be ready to answer:

1. Which AI tools do your staff and volunteers use in school-connected work?
2. What information goes into them, and is any of it about students?
3. Who in your organization approves a new tool?
4. Do you have a short written policy you can share?

My AI readiness checklist and starter policy outline cover these questions.

Join the conversation

Do you work with a Maryland school system? Tell me what your district has asked of partners so far, using the contact page, in general terms. Please do not include names, ages, schools or any details that could identify a student or family. I may share common themes, without naming anyone, in a future post.

Sources (all free to read)

• Maryland General Assembly: SB 720 (2026), bill page (official)
• Department of Legislative Services fiscal and policy note, SB 720 (official)
• Chapter 634, enacted text (official)
• Maryland Association of Counties, Conduit Street, Sept. 10, 2026 (news coverage)

This post is general education, not legal advice. Jackson Allen LLC is not a law firm. For questions about your organization’s obligations, talk to a qualified attorney.