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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 735
Chapter 735
(House Bill 6)
AN ACT concerning
Public Institutions of Higher Education – Pregnant and Parenting Students –
Plan and Reporting
FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Higher Education Commission to collect
certain data regarding the parental status of students from each public institution
of higher education in the State; requiring public institutions of higher education to
collect and report certain demographic data from students; requiring all public
institutions of higher education community colleges to adopt a certain plan for
pregnant and parenting students; altering the definition of “student data” to
authorize the Commission to share with the Maryland Longitudinal Data System
certain data regarding the parental status of certain students; and generally relating
to pregnant and parenting students at public institutions of higher education.
BY adding to
Article – Education
Section 11–409
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Education
Section 15–140
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Education
Section 24–701(l)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Education
11–409.
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION” DOES
NOT INCLUDE THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GLOBAL CAMPUS.
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Ch. 735 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
(A) (B) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL COLLECT STUDENT–LEVEL DATA
FROM EACH PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE ON THE
PARENTAL STATUS OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN EACH INSTITUTION.
(2) THE COMMISSION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PUBLIC
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SHALL DEVELOP QUESTIONS THAT ALLOW
EACH STUDENT TO IDENTIFY:
(I) WHETHER THE STUDENT IS A PARENT OR A LEGAL
GUARDIAN, ACTING AS A PARENT OR A LEGAL GUARDIAN, OR EXERCISING CARE,
CUSTODY, OR CONTROL OVER A CHILD OF ANY AGE;
(II) THE AGE OF THE CHILDREN FOR WHICH THE STUDENT HAS
RESPONSIBILITY; AND
(III) THE TYPE OF CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES THE
STUDENT PROVIDES, INCLUDING WHETHER THE STUDENT:
1. IS A SINGLE PARENT; OR
2. SHARES PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES WITH
SOMEONE IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD OR A DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLD.
(B) (C) (1) EACH PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION SHALL
PLACE THE QUESTIONS DEVELOPED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) (B) OF THIS SECTION
ON ONE OR MORE FORMS THAT ARE USED BY THE INSTITUTION TO COLLECT
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA FROM STUDENTS.
(2) EACH PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION SHALL MAKE
THE DATA COLLECTED UNDER THIS SECTION AVAILABLE TO THE COMMISSION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER
SUBSECTION (C) (D) OF THIS SECTION.
(C) (D) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT
THIS SECTION, INCLUDING:
(1) ESTABLISHING A COMMON FORMAT AND TIME FRAME FOR THE
COLLECTION AND REPORTING OF THE DATA REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION; AND
(2) REQUIRING THE COLLECTION OF PARENTAL STATUS DATA TO BE
INCLUDED WITH THE COLLECTION OF OTHER DEMOGRAPHIC DATA.
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 735
(D) (E) INFORMATION COLLECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION
IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A MEDICAL OR HEALTH RECORD FOR PURPOSES OF §
24–701(L) OF THIS ARTICLE.
(E) (F) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2027, AND EACH SEPTEMBER 1
THEREAFTER, THE COMMISSION SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE SENATE BUDGET
AND TAXATION COMMITTEE, THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, ENERGY,
AND THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THAT
SUMMARIZES THE DATA COLLECTED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SECTION.
15–140.
(a) [(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Pregnant] IN THIS SECTION, “PREGNANT and parenting student”
means a student enrolled at a public [senior higher education] institution OF HIGHER
EDUCATION OR A COMMUNITY COLLEGE who:
[(i)] (1) Is pregnant; [or]
[(ii)] (2) Exercises care, custody, or control over a child [OF ANY
AGE; OR
(3) SHARES PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES WITH SOMEONE IN THE
SAME HOUSEHOLD OR A DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLD.
(3) (i) “Public senior higher education institution” means:
1. The constituent institutions of the University System of
Maryland;
2. Morgan State University; and
3. St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
(ii) “Public senior higher education institution” does not include:
1. The University of Maryland Center for Environmental
Studies;
2. The University of Maryland Global Campus; or
3. The University of Baltimore] OF ANY AGE; OR
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Ch. 735 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
(3) SHARES PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES WITH SOMEONE IN THE
SAME HOUSEHOLD OR A DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLD.
(b) The General Assembly finds that all students at an institution of higher
education in the State, regardless of their gender, shall enjoy freedom from discrimination
of any kind, including pregnancy discrimination as described in Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972.
(c) (1) Each public [senior higher education] institution OF HIGHER
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE shall adopt a plan regarding pregnant and
parenting students that is consistent with Title IX of the federal Higher Education Act.
(2) The plan required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:
(i) Referral to on–campus or off–campus services to assist regarding
the availability of or eligibility for government assistance programs, including:
1. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
for Women, Infants, and Children;
2. The Child Care Scholarship Program;
3. The Maryland Medical Assistance Program;
4. The Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program; and
5. Any other programs, scholarships, or subsidies for
pregnant and parenting students;
(ii) The provision of information about or referrals to resources
regarding adoption services;
(iii) The availability of institutional accommodations for pregnant
and parenting students; and
(iv) A referral network of on–campus and off–campus health care
service providers.
(d) On or before [August] OCTOBER 1, 2026, each public [senior higher
education] institution OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE shall post
the plan adopted under subsection (c) of this section on the institution’s website.
24–701.
(l) (1) “Student data” means data relating to or impacting student
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 735
(2) “Student data” includes:
(i) State and national assessments;
(ii) Course–taking and completion;
(iii) Grade point average;
(iv) Remediation;
(v) Retention;
(vi) Degree, diploma, or credential attainment;
(vii) Enrollment;
(viii) Demographic data;
(ix) Juvenile delinquency records;
(x) Elementary and secondary school disciplinary records;
(xi) Child welfare data;
(xii) License, industry certificate, or vocational certificate;
(xiii) Personally identifiable information; [and]
(xiv) PARENTAL STATUS; AND
(XV) Student disability data by specific disability category.
(3) “Student data” does not include:
(i) Criminal and CINA records; [and]
(ii) Medical and health records; AND
(III) PREGNANCY STATUS.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2026.
Approved by the Governor, May 26, 2026.
–5–Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.