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HB 326

Student Service Hours - Financial Literacy Course

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cathi Forbes

HB 326 requires Maryland high school students to complete financial literacy coursework with service hour requirements for graduation.

Hearing 1/29 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 326

Legislative bill overview

HB 326 proposes that Maryland students complete a financial literacy course as a requirement for graduation. The bill ties course completion to student service hours, creating a hybrid academic and service-learning component to the requirement.

Why is this important

Financial literacy is increasingly recognized as essential life skills, with studies showing gaps in consumer knowledge among young adults regarding budgeting, credit, and debt management. Making this a graduation requirement would ensure all Maryland students receive baseline financial education before entering adulthood or higher education.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden: Schools must develop curriculum, train teachers, and potentially hire instructors, requiring funding and operational changes across districts with varying capacity
  • Service hours requirement: Tying financial literacy to service hours may create logistical challenges and questions about whether service should be mandatory for graduation
  • Equity concerns: Students with work obligations or caregiving responsibilities may face barriers completing service hour requirements compared to more affluent peers
  • Curriculum control: Stakeholders may disagree on what financial topics should be included and how politically sensitive topics (like predatory lending or systemic barriers) are addressed

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

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