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SB 212

Higher Education - Nonresident Tuition - Exemption for Spouses and Dependents of State or Local Public Safety Employees (Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Corderman

Exempts dependents of deceased or disabled Maryland public safety employees from nonresident tuition at state colleges, honoring fallen/injured officers and firefighters through educational benefits.

Third Reading Passed
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 212

Legislative bill overview

SB 212 would exempt dependents of deceased or disabled Maryland state and local public safety employees from paying nonresident tuition at Maryland public higher education institutions. The bill creates a tuition benefit to honor fallen or injured police officers, firefighters, and other public safety personnel by reducing educational costs for their families.

Why is this important

Public safety employees face significant occupational risks, and their families often experience financial hardship following line-of-duty deaths or disabling injuries. This bill directly addresses that burden by making higher education more accessible and affordable for affected dependents, potentially improving educational outcomes and reducing financial barriers during already difficult circumstances.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact and funding source: The bill does not specify how institutions will absorb lost tuition revenue or whether the state will reimburse them, raising questions about whether this shifts costs to other students or the state budget
  • Definition and eligibility scope: The specific criteria for "disabled" employees and which public safety roles qualify remain unclear from the bill description, potentially creating disputes over who benefits
  • Equity considerations: Critics may question why this benefit applies only to public safety families versus other state/local employees in dangerous professions, or whether tuition exemptions are the most effective way to support these families

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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