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Bill

HB 298

Maryland Higher Education Commission - Demographic Data Collection - Parental Status

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Kerr

Maryland mandates colleges collect student parental status data to inform policymaking on support services for student-parents in higher education.

Hearing 4/02 at 3:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 298

Legislative bill overview

HB 298 requires the Maryland Higher Education Commission to collect and analyze demographic data on student parental status (whether students are parents themselves) at public institutions of higher education. The bill mandates reporting this information to the General Assembly to better understand the needs and experiences of student-parents in Maryland's higher education system.

Why is this important

Student-parents face distinct challenges including childcare costs, scheduling conflicts, and financial strain that affect their academic success and completion rates. Currently, Maryland lacks systematic data on this population, making it difficult for policymakers and institutions to design targeted support programs or identify resource gaps that could improve retention and graduation outcomes for this demographic.

Potential points of contention

  • Data collection burden: Colleges may argue that mandatory demographic data collection adds administrative costs and complexity to enrollment processes
  • Privacy concerns: Some may question whether collecting parental status data could lead to stigmatization or discriminatory practices, or raises privacy issues for students unwilling to disclose this information
  • Scope and utility: Questions about whether parental status alone provides actionable insights without additional context (e.g., custody arrangements, financial dependence, childcare access)

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

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