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MarylandSB 00702026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - MDiplomaWorks Pathway

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Education - MiscellaneousPrivate Sector Labor and IndustryAge -see also- Age of Maj; Children; Elderly; Inf&Tod.; etcAwareness and OutreachCertificationsClassifications and DesignationsCommittees and CommissionsCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.Education -see also- ContEd; DrvEd; HigherEd; etc.Education, State Department ofElectronic GovernmentIndustry and ManufacturingJob Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational RehabLabor, Department ofPilot ProgramsPrivate Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary SchPublications -see also- Maryland Register; TextbooksPublic Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary SchReportsResidency -see also- Immigrants and CitizenshipRules and RegulationsSchool TestingSecondary Schools -see also- Private Schools; Public SchStudentsSunsetWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New adult diploma paths: exam and work

Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland adds two adult diploma paths. One is by exam for residents without a diploma who are not under compulsory attendance and left full-time school. This exam option is available through September 30, 2030. The other is MDiplomaWorks. It uses an approved mix of credentials, tests, CTE classes, or on-the-job learning. This path has no sunset. From October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2030, GED Option students can use the exam path without the withdrawal and attendance rules. The Maryland Department of Labor posts MDiplomaWorks information in 2027 and 2028.

Two-year GED pilot for at-risk students

The law creates a GED Option pilot starting in the 2027–2028 school year for two years. The state picks at least three districts and considers geographic diversity. Each participating superintendent may choose up to 150 students. Students must be at least 17, at significant risk, and take the diploma exam before the pilot ends. Agencies can write rules. The state reports on results by December 1, 2028, and December 1, 2029.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 212 • No: 7

House vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 127 • No: 7 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 168

    4/28/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/10/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (41-0)

    4/10/2026Senate

  4. Senate Concurs House Amendments

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. Third Reading Passed (127-7)

    4/10/2026House

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/8/2026House

  7. Favorable with Amendments {983122/1 Adopted

    4/8/2026House

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

    4/8/2026House

  9. Hearing 3/25 at 1:30 p.m.

    3/25/2026House

  10. Hearing canceled

    3/25/2026House

  11. Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/16/2026House

  12. Referred Ways and Means

    2/13/2026House

  13. Third Reading Passed (44-0)

    2/12/2026Senate

  14. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    2/10/2026Senate

  15. Favorable with Amendments {673320/1 Adopted

    2/10/2026Senate

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

    2/9/2026Senate

  17. Hearing 1/28 at 10:00 a.m.

    1/21/2026Senate

  18. Hearing canceled

    1/21/2026Senate

  19. Hearing 1/28 at 11:00 a.m.

    1/16/2026Senate

  20. First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

    1/14/2026Senate

  21. Pre-filed

    9/16/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/10/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    2/10/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

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