Bill
HB 762
Maryland HB 762 replaces fixed degree-attainment goals with a requirement for MHEC to set state goals across multiple higher-education policy areas to guide institutions and workfo
Note: The bill title and status you gave (HB 762 — “COVID‑19 mRNA vaccinations; prohibit until Health Department conducts study…”, Died in Committee) do not match the documents you attached. The attached materials instead principally concern a Maryland bill numbered HB 762 (Maryland Higher Education Commission — higher education goals) plus several unrelated drafts from other states that also use the number 762. I do not see text for a COVID‑19 mRNA vaccination prohibition bill in the materials provided.
Below I summarize the Maryland HB 762 materials included in your documents. If you want a summary of the COVID‑19 mRNA vaccination bill you mentioned, please upload that bill text or provide the correct bill source and state.
Summary — Maryland HB 762 (Maryland Higher Education Commission — Higher Education Goals — Revisions)
Overview / Purpose
- Replaces specific statutory degree‑attainment targets with a requirement that the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) set state goals across multiple higher‑education policy areas. The change shifts the law from fixed numeric goals in statute to goals established by MHEC.
Key provisions / changes
- Repeals the existing statutory goals that:
- required at least 55% of Maryland adults ages 25–64 hold at least an associate’s degree by 2025; and
- required all degree‑seeking students enrolled in public community colleges to earn an associate’s degree before transferring to a public four‑year institution.
- Requires MHEC to set state goals for:
1. The share of Maryland adults (age 25–64) holding a postsecondary degree or certificate;
2. Annual postsecondary credential completion — i.e., number of Maryland students completing “a postsecondary credential of value” each year;
3. Institutions’ goals for research and innovation that align with Maryland’s economic‑development and workforce sectors;
4. Any other policy MHEC considers necessary to ensure institutions maximize public benefit and foster economic development.
- Retains existing statutory language directing institutions to use resources efficiently, cooperate regionally, and consider other institutions’ roles when developing missions/programs.
Who is affected
- Maryland Higher Education Commission — required to establish and publish the new goals and policy targets.
- Public higher education institutions (public four‑year universities and community colleges) — potentially subject to revised planning, targets, and performance expectations reflecting new MHEC goals.
- Independent institutions and students — indirectly affected by shifts in statewide priorities and any institutional actions to meet new goals.
- Employers, workforce and economic development stakeholders — may be affected by changes in institutional emphasis on research/innovation and credentialing aligned with workforce needs.
Fiscal and operational impact
- MHEC can set the goals using existing resources; the fiscal note indicates no direct material cost to State or local education finances.
- The fiscal note warns that revenues and expenditures at public institutions may shift from current priorities to new priorities (but any such changes are not reliably estimated).
- Small‑business impact assessed as minimal or none.
Procedure / timeline
- The bill text in the documents indicates an effective date of October 1, 2025.
- (Per the attached fiscal note: readings and committee activity occurred in early 2025; the fiscal note is dated for the 2025 Session.)
Context / background (from the fiscal note)
- Maryland had a 55% degree attainment by 2025 statutory goal; more recent data (Lumina Foundation, MHEC model updates) showed mixed progress — attainment including short‑term credentials exceeded 55% in 2022, but degree‑only estimates were below the goal. MHEC has used an attainment model and institution targets; degree production trends have varied across sectors.
If you intended a different HB 762 (for example the COVID‑19 mRNA vaccination prohibition you named, or one of the other state HB 762 drafts included in your file), tell me which state/year or paste the bill text and I will prepare a focused summary for that bill.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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