2026 Key Legislative Initiatives

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

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Requires public institutions of higher education to develop and publish plans supporting pregnant and parenting students and mandates data collection and reporting through the Maryland Higher Education Commission. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation introduces new institutional requirements related to planning, reporting, and student support services. It provides an opportunity to further strengthen resources for student parents, consistent with the college’s commitment to access and student success, and furthering the culture of care and belonging. 

View Senate Bill 420

Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) – Maryland Growth Initiative 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Advances initiatives to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology development through TEDCO. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation reflects continued state investment in innovation and entrepreneurship. It may create opportunities for future collaboration, workforce alignment, and program development in high-growth sectors. 

View Senate Bill 763

Economic Development – Maryland Workforce Launch Pilot Program 

Status: Passed both chambers, to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Establishes a pilot program within the Department of Commerce that will provide no-cost workforce training as a recruitment tool for strategic industries and qualified businesses. 

Impact on Howard Community College: Requires the Department of Commerce to partner with two community colleges to provide training services. The collaborating institutions have not yet been selected. 

View Senate Bill 869

Higher Education - Workforce Pell Grant Program – Implementation 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Implements the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, expanding Pell eligibility to short-term workforce training programs. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation significantly enhances access to financial aid for students pursuing workforce credentials. It aligns closely with institutional priorities to expand noncredit and career-focused programming and may support enrollment growth in high-demand fields. 

View Senate Bill 509

Economic Development - Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE ACT) 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Expands and modernizes economic development programs and incentives across Maryland. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation strengthens the state’s economic development ecosystem and may create opportunities for the college to align workforce training and academic programs with emerging industries and regional priorities. 

View Senate Bill 388

Higher Education - Maryland Artificial Intelligence Partnership 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Establishes a statewide artificial intelligence partnership within the University System of Maryland, including fellowship and innovation initiatives. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation advances the state’s focus on emerging technologies and innovation. As implementation of AI progresses, there may be opportunities to ensure community colleges are included in future partnerships, workforce pipelines, and applied learning initiatives. 

View Senate Bill 597

Economic Development - Maryland's Future Board – Establishment 

Status: Passed both Chambers; enacted. 

Synopsis: Establishes the Maryland’s Future Board under the Department of Commerce to develop, evaluate, and revise a visionary plan for the future of Maryland; requires the Board to make recommendations for projects based on that plan to the Governor and the General Assembly; establishes the Maryland’s Future Fund; and requires the Comptroller to report on economic growth trends in the state. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation establishes a formal framework for long-term economic planning in Maryland. It may shape future statewide workforce and industry priorities and presents an opportunity for Howard Community College to align academic and workforce programs with emerging economic development strategies. 

View Senate Bill 770

Higher Education - Scholarships for Correctional Officers 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Expands eligibility for existing scholarship programs to include correctional officers. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation supports workforce development by expanding access to education and training for correctional officers, which may contribute to increased participation in community college programs. 

View Senate Bill 285

Income Tax - Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit – Alterations 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Modifies provisions of the state’s student loan debt relief tax credit program. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation reflects ongoing state efforts to address student debt. While it does not directly impact institutional operations, it may influence student financial stability and future enrollment. 

View Senate Bill 805 

Higher Education - Undocumented Students - Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Eligibility 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Reduces the number of years required for tax filing to qualify for in-state tuition from three to two. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation expands access to affordable education for undocumented students and may support enrollment growth while advancing institutional priorities related to equity and access. 

View House Bill 1530

Education - The Blueprint for Maryland's Future – Revisions 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Revises elements of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, including adjustments to funding formulas, teacher certification requirements, and accountability structures. 

Impact on Howard Community College: While primarily focused on K–12 education, this legislation may influence student readiness and long-term enrollment pipelines. Continued monitoring will be important to assess alignment with workforce and transfer pathways. 

View Senate Bill 311

Higher Education - Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Extends eligibility for a scholarship supporting veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation supports continued access to higher education for veteran students and may contribute to enrollment and persistence among this population. 

View Senate Bill 7

Higher Education - Loan Repayment and Scholarships for Correctional Officers 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Expands eligibility for loan repayment and scholarship programs to include correctional officers. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation supports workforce development efforts by expanding access to education and training opportunities for correctional officers, which may contribute to increased participation in community college programs. 

View Senate Bill 101

Higher Education - Student Financial Assistance - Dependents of Public Safety Employees 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Provides in-state tuition benefits to spouses and dependents of public safety employees who die in the line of duty. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation expands access to affordable education for eligible students and may support enrollment among this population, aligning with broader workforce and public service support initiatives. 

View House Bill 3

Institutions of Higher Education - Provision of Menstrual Hygiene Products – Requirement 

Status: Passed both Chambers; to Governor for signature. 

Synopsis: Requires each institution of higher education that provides on-campus housing to provide, free of charge, menstrual hygiene products in all student health centers. 

Impact on Howard Community College: HCC began providing free menstrual products in 2024 as part of its ongoing commitment to student wellness, access, and belonging. This legislation aligns with the college’s existing efforts to reduce barriers for students and support basic needs that contribute to student success. 

View House Bill 457

Higher Education - Foster Care Recipients and Homeless Youth - Tuition Exemption and Associated Benefits 

Status: Did not pass. 

Synopsis: Would have expanded benefits for foster care recipients and homeless youth to include housing, materials, and related educational costs. 

Impact on Howard Community College: This legislation reflected a potential opportunity to further reduce barriers for vulnerable student populations. Its outcome does not affect current operations but signals ongoing policy interest in this area. 

View House Bill 818