MarylandHB 07212026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Uniformed Services Spouses Act

Sponsored By: Edith J. Patterson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

State Government - Agencies, Offices, and OfficialsHigher EducationPrivate Sector Labor and IndustryState Government - PersonnelUtility RegulationArmed Forces and Uniformed ServicesCommunity CollegesHigher Education -see also- Comm Colleges; Med Schools; etc.Registration -see also- Motor Vehicle RegistrationSpousesState Universities and CollegesVeterans

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Broader eligibility for veterans and spouses

Beginning October 1, 2026, the law defines an eligible spouse as the spouse of an eligible service member. It also accepts an “other than dishonorable” discharge or a certificate of satisfactory completion of service when defining eligible veterans and service members. These definitions apply across education, scholarships, hiring preferences, and State hiring tests.

Extra hiring test points for veterans and spouses

Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland must add 10 points to State selection test scores for eligible spouses, eligible veterans, spouses of veterans with service‑connected disabilities, and surviving spouses. A former prisoner of war gets 2 extra points. Current State employees cannot claim these credits. Veterans convicted of a crime after discharge or completion of service are also ineligible.

Priority registration and campus support for military families

Beginning October 1, 2026, public colleges must give priority course registration to eligible service members and eligible spouses. The priority lasts up to 15 years after the member’s last active duty and ends after four academic years of use. Community colleges must also serve spouses of veterans in their veterans services. They must train advisors, keep at least one staff member to help veterans and spouses, and run a veterans resource center with study space and access to state and federal resources.

More scholarship options for military families

Beginning October 1, 2026, a Senator may use up to 10% of senatorial scholarship funds for students who study outside Maryland if they are active service members or their spouses and are domiciled in Maryland. A Delegate Scholarship can also be used at schools outside Maryland for these domiciled students. Active service members and their spouses can be treated as domiciled in Maryland for the senatorial scholarship, instead of relying on general in‑state tuition rules.

Optional hiring preference for military spouses

Beginning October 1, 2026, employers in Maryland, including local governments, may give hiring or promotion preference to spouses of active service members. Employers may also prefer eligible veterans, spouses of eligible veterans with service‑connected disabilities, and surviving spouses of deceased eligible veterans. The Maryland Public Service Commission may apply the same preferences in its own hiring. These preferences are optional for employers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Edith J. Patterson
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Andre V. Johnson
Democratic • House
Gabriel Acevero
Democratic • House
Nick Allen
Democratic • House
Steven J. Arentz
Republican • House
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Dylan Behler
Democratic • House
Adrian Boafo
Democratic • House
Jason C. Buckel
Republican • House
Jon S. Cardin
Democratic • House
Derrick Coley
Democratic • House
Charlotte Crutchfield
Democratic • House
Kris Fair
Democratic • House
Diana M. Fennell
Democratic • House
Mike Griffith
Republican • House
Kevin B. Hornberger
Republican • House
Seth A. Howard
Republican • House
Julian Ivey
Democratic • House
Jeffrie E. Long
Democratic • House
Aaron M. Kaufman
Democratic • House
Robbyn Lewis
Democratic • House
Susan K. McComas
Republican • House
April Miller
Republican • House
Darrell Odom
Democratic • House
Cheryl E. Pasteur
Democratic • House
Andrew C. Pruski
Democratic • House
Pam Queen
Democratic • House
Teresa E. Reilly
Republican • House
Kent Roberson
Democratic • House
Denise Roberts
Democratic • House
Mike Rogers
Democratic • House
April Rose
Republican • House
Steve Johnson
Democratic • House
Stuart Michael Schmidt
Republican • House
Gary Simmons
Democratic • House
Jared Solomon
Democratic • House
Ryan Spiegel
Democratic • House
Sean A. Stinnett
Democratic • House
Todd B. Morgan
Republican • House
Deni Taveras
Democratic • House
Karen Toles
Democratic • House
Veronica Turner
Democratic • House
Greg Wims
Democratic • House
Sarah Wolek
Democratic • House
Jamila J. Woods
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 166 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026