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SB 1024

Modifies provisions relating to opioid prescriptions

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karla May

Creates a tuition exemption for dependents of Maryland public safety employees killed in the line of duty, waiving out-of-state/out-of-county tuition at Maryland public colleges.

Second Read and Referred S Families, Seniors and Health Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1024

SB 1024 — Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act

Status: Hearing scheduled 3/11 at 1:00 p.m. (Introduced Feb 6, 2025)
Effective date if enacted: July 1, 2025

Main purpose

SB 1024 creates a statutory tuition exemption so that a financially dependent child of a State or local public safety employee who dies as a result of, or in the course of, performing duties is exempt from paying out‑of‑state or out‑of‑county tuition at Maryland public institutions of higher education. The bill is titled the Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new section (Education §15‑106.12) establishing the nonresident/out‑of‑county tuition exemption for a financially dependent child of a covered public safety employee killed in the line of duty, regardless of the State or county where the child resides.
  • Requires the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to adopt regulations to implement the exemption.
  • Cross‑references and relies on the existing definition of “State or local public safety employee” in Education §18‑601, which includes:
    • Career or volunteer members of fire departments, ambulance companies/squads, or rescue squads;
    • Law enforcement officers;
    • Correctional officers;
    • Members of the Maryland National Guard who were State residents at time of death.
  • Repeals and reenacts (without substantive change) certain existing statutory subsections to accommodate the new provisions.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: financially dependent children of Maryland State or local public safety employees who die in the line of duty — they would be eligible for in‑state or in‑county tuition rates at Maryland public four‑year institutions, Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College, Baltimore City Community College, and local community colleges.
  • Institutions: public higher‑education institutions must apply in‑state tuition rules for eligible students pursuant to MHEC regulations.
  • State agencies: MHEC must promulgate implementing regulations.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Departmental/agency implementation: MHEC can adopt required regulations with existing resources.
  • Fiscal impact: The Department of Legislative Services’ fiscal note estimates the bill would not materially change the number of students qualifying for in‑state tuition and would not materially impact state funding formulas (Cade or BCCC formulas), higher education revenues, or expenditures. The number of additional eligible students is anticipated to be very small.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced Feb 6, 2025; scheduled for committee hearing (Education, Energy, and the Environment) on 3/11 at 1:00 p.m.
  • If passed and signed, the exemption becomes effective July 1, 2025.
  • MHEC must thereafter adopt regulations to implement the statutory change.

Context/Related law

  • The bill creates a direct statutory tuition exemption irrespective of residency, building on existing Conroy/Cryor scholarship-related provisions and institutional residency policies that already provide certain tuition benefits to survivors in limited circumstances. This bill clarifies and broadens eligibility specifically for dependents of public safety employees killed in the line of duty.

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

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