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MarylandHB 00062026 Regular SessionHouse

Public Institutions of Higher Education - Pregnant and Parenting Students - Plan and Reporting

Sponsored By: Kenneth Kerr (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Higher EducationAdoption - see also- FamLaw; FosterCare; ParentsGuardiansAge -see also- Age of Maj; Children; Elderly; Inf&Tod.; etcCaregiversChildren (4-12)Community CollegesData -see also- Census; DemographicsDemographics -see also- Census; DataDiscriminationElectronic GovernmentFormsHealth Insurance -see also- ACA; HMOs; MCOsHigher Education -see also- Comm Colleges; Med Schools; etc.Higher Education CommissionIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Medical AssistanceParents and GuardiansPlans and ProposalsPregnancyPublic Benefits -see also- Housing; MedAsst; SupplNutrAsstPReportsRules and RegulationsScholarships and Student Financial AidState Universities and CollegesStudentsSupplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramSurveys and Polls

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Colleges must support student parents

Starting July 1, 2026, every public four‑year college and community college must adopt a plan to help pregnant and parenting students. The plan follows Title IX and must include referrals to SNAP, WIC, child care scholarships, Medicaid, and CHIP, plus adoption resources. It must list available school accommodations and a health care referral network. Schools must post the plan on their website by October 1, 2026. The law covers students who are pregnant, care for a child of any age, or share parenting duties in any household.

Statewide data on student parents

Starting July 1, 2026, the Maryland Higher Education Commission collects parental‑status data from public colleges. The Commission designs questions about being a parent or guardian, child ages, and caregiving duties. Colleges must put the questions on demographic forms and report data on the schedule and format the Commission sets. Parental status counts as student data, not a medical or pregnancy record. The Commission can share some data with the Maryland Longitudinal Data System, with privacy protections. By September 1, 2027, and every year after, the Commission reports a summary of this data to the committees named in law.

UMGC students excluded from supports

Starting July 1, 2026, the University of Maryland Global Campus is not included in the parental‑status data rule. UMGC students do not have to answer those questions. UMGC is not required to provide the data or make and post the campus plan under this law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kenneth Kerr

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 232 • No: 69

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 41 • No: 1 • Other: 5

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 90 • No: 33 • Other: 17

House vote • 2/26/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 101 • No: 35

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 735

    5/26/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (90-33)

    4/13/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/13/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (41-1)

    4/13/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/13/2026Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {863629/1 Adopted

    4/13/2026Senate

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

    4/13/2026Senate

  9. Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

    2/27/2026Senate

  10. Third Reading Passed (101-35)

    2/26/2026House

  11. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    2/24/2026House

  12. Favorable with Amendments {803321/1 Adopted

    2/24/2026House

  13. Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations

    2/23/2026House

  14. Hearing 1/27 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/16/2026House

  15. First Reading Appropriations

    1/14/2026House

  16. Pre-filed

    10/29/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    2/24/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

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