PRIA Logo™
MarylandHB 00032026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Higher Education - Student Financial Assistance - Dependents of State or Local Public Safety Employees (Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act)

Sponsored By: Matthew J. Schindler (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Higher EducationArmed Forces and Uniformed ServicesCorrectional OfficersDeath -see also- Homicide; Murder; Wrongful DeathDependents -see also- Minors; Vulnerable AdultsDisabilitiesFire ProtectionHigher Education -see also- Comm Colleges; Med Schools; etc.Higher Education CommissionKinship -see also- Parents and GuardiansLaw Enforcement -see also- SRO; Sheriffs; State PolicePublic Employees -see also- State EmployeesRescue Squads -see also- Emergency Medical ServResidency -see also- Immigrants and CitizenshipRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)Rules and RegulationsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetyScholarships and Student Financial AidSpousesState EmployeesState Universities and CollegesTuitionVolunteers

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

In-state tuition for fallen families

Beginning July 1, 2026, if your spouse or parent was a State or local public safety worker who died in the line of duty, you pay in-state tuition at Maryland public colleges. This applies even if you live outside Maryland or outside the county. The law treats you like a Maryland resident for tuition at public institutions.

Scholarships for fallen, disabled, and school families

Beginning July 1, 2026, Maryland runs two scholarship programs for uniformed service and public safety families, and for dependents of public and nonpublic school employees. Awards pay tuition and required fees, with at least $3,000 a year or your school’s resident tuition and fees, whichever is less. Awards cannot exceed resident tuition and fees at the most expensive 4‑year University System of Maryland campus. You can keep the award up to 5 years full-time or 8 years part-time, and current recipients get priority each year. Some survivors and disabled public safety workers and their dependents do not need to be Maryland residents to qualify. One specific category is limited to 15 recipients per year.

State fund and yearly money for scholarships

Beginning July 1, 2026, the State creates a special, nonlapsing scholarship fund run by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The Governor must include at least $4 million for this fund in each year’s budget (beginning with fiscal year 2024). The Commission splits money to colleges by formula, and schools report eligible students in October and February. Awards depend on the State budget and Commission guidelines.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matthew J. Schindler

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Barry Beauchamp

    Republican • House

  • April Miller

    Republican • House

  • Cheryl E. Pasteur

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa Woorman

    Democratic • House

  • Natalie Ziegler

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 309 • No: 0

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 136 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 38 • No: 0 • Other: 6

House vote • 2/12/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 135 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 798

    5/26/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (136-0)

    4/13/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/13/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (38-0)

    4/10/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/10/2026Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {743827/1 Adopted

    4/10/2026Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    4/10/2026Senate

  9. Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

    2/13/2026Senate

  10. Third Reading Passed (135-0)

    2/12/2026House

  11. Second Reading Passed

    2/10/2026House

  12. Favorable Adopted

    2/10/2026House

  13. Favorable Report by Appropriations

    2/9/2026House

  14. Hearing 2/03 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/28/2026House

  15. First Reading Appropriations

    1/14/2026House

  16. Pre-filed

    9/4/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    2/10/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation