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SB 420

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Washington

Maryland bill requires public universities to create support plans for pregnant/parenting students and report annually on housing, childcare, financial aid, and academic accommodation outcomes.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 734
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Bill Summary · SB 420

Legislative bill overview

SB 420 requires Maryland's public institutions of higher education to develop and implement comprehensive plans to support pregnant and parenting students, including policies on housing, financial aid, childcare, and academic accommodations. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the state on institutional progress and student outcomes related to these support services.

Why is this important

Pregnant and parenting students face significant barriers to degree completion, including housing insecurity, inadequate childcare access, and inflexible academic schedules. Formalizing institutional support plans could improve retention rates, reduce educational attainment gaps, and address workforce pipeline issues while supporting vulnerable student populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation burden: Public universities may argue that developing comprehensive support systems and maintaining childcare services requires substantial new funding not allocated in the bill
  • Scope and mandates: Questions about whether the state should dictate specific institutional policies versus allowing universities autonomy in designing support structures
  • Data collection concerns: Annual reporting requirements could create administrative overhead, and privacy considerations around tracking pregnant/parenting students may arise

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

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