Ch. 332

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF BALTIMORE CITY IN CLASSROOMS OR WITH STUDENTS
SHALL BE LICENSED BY THE STATE BOARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS
SUBSECTION.

(2)     BEFORE JULY 1, 1997, THE STATE BOARD AND THE BOARD OF
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS OF BALTIMORE CITY SHALL CONVENE A JOINT
COMMISSION TO DEVELOP RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR TRAINING, EXAMINING,
AND LICENSING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS AND PARAPROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES
UNDER THIS SUBSECTION. THE COMMISSION SHALL INCLUDE AMONG ITS MEMBERS
EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVES.

(3)     WHEN ISSUING LICENSES, THE STATE BOARD SHALL CONSIDER
PRIOR INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICE AND PRIOR EMPLOYMENT AS AN EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANT OR A PARAPROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE BY THE BOARD OF SCHOOL
COMMISSIONERS OF BALTIMORE CITY ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 1995.

(4)     BEFORE JULY 1, 1999, THE STATE BOARD, WITH THE ADVICE AND
ASSISTANCE OF THE MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION AND THE
BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS OF BALTIMORE CITY, SHALL DEVELOP AND
ADMINISTER A PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BE LICENSED
UNDER THIS SUBSECTION.

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That:

(a)     There is a Task Force on Educational Assistants and Paraprofessionals in the
Public Schools of Maryland.

(b)     The Task Force shall review the present utilization of educational assistants
and paraprofessionals by the county boards of education and make recommendations on:

(1)     Entry level standards for educational assistants and paraprofessionals;

(2) Training and experience to be required of educational assistants and
paraprofessionals;

(3)     The development of examinations for entry into educational and
paraprofessional careers;

(4)     The licensing of educational assistants and paraprofessionals;

(5)     Career ladders that educational assistants and paraprofessionals can
anticipate following; and

(6) Other matters that the Task Force considers of significance.

(c)     The Task Force shall be composed of 23 24 members as follows:

(1) Two Senators appointed by the President of the Senate of Maryland;

(2)     Two Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;
(3) Two teachers appointed by the State Superintendent of Schools;

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