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HB 6

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Kerr

Maryland public colleges must create support plans for pregnant/parenting students including childcare and housing, with annual reporting requirements to track institutional progress.

Passed Enrolled
0
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Bill Summary · HB 6

Legislative bill overview

HB 6 requires Maryland's public higher education institutions to develop and implement comprehensive plans supporting pregnant and parenting students, including childcare access, financial assistance, housing support, and academic accommodations. Institutions must report annually to the Maryland Higher Education Commission on their progress and outcomes for this student population.

Why is this important

Pregnant and parenting students face significant barriers to degree completion, including childcare costs, housing instability, and inflexible scheduling. By mandating institutional planning and accountability, this bill aims to improve retention and graduation rates while removing structural obstacles that disproportionately affect low-income and minority students pursuing higher education.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal burden: Implementing comprehensive support services (childcare, housing assistance, emergency funds) requires substantial institutional investment during a period of constrained higher education budgets
  • Definitional scope: Unclear whether "parenting students" includes only biological/legal parents, adoptive parents, guardians, or other caregivers, which could affect eligibility and resource allocation
  • Enforcement mechanisms: The bill lacks specified consequences for institutions that fail to meet reporting requirements or develop inadequate plans, potentially limiting its effectiveness

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

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