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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 679
Chapter 679
(Senate Bill 101)
AN ACT concerning
Higher Education – Loan Repayment and Scholarships for Correctional Officers
FOR the purpose of adding correctional officers as eligible recipients in the Maryland Loan
Assistance Repayment Program for Police Officers and Probation Agents and the
Maryland Police Officers and Probation Agents Scholarship Program; and generally
relating to loan repayment and scholarships for correctional officers.
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Education
Section 18–3701 and 18–3702 to be under the amended subtitle “Subtitle 37.
Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Police Officers, Probation
Agents, and Correctional Officers”; and 18–3801 through 18–3804 and
18–3807 to be under the amended subtitle “Subtitle 38. Maryland Police
Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship Program”
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
Subtitle 37. Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Police Officers [and],
Probation Agents, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS.
18–3701.
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(B) “CORRECTIONAL OFFICER” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 8–201 OF
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ARTICLE.
[(b)] (C) “Eligible employment” means to work as:
(1) A police officer OR CORRECTIONAL OFFICER in the State for at least
2 years; or
(2) A parole and probation agent, supervisor, or regional director in the
State for at least 2 years.
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Ch. 679 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
[(c)] (D) “Higher education loan” means a loan that is obtained for tuition for
undergraduate study.
[(d)] (E) “Police officer” has the meaning stated in § 3–201 of the Public Safety
Article.
[(e)] (F) “Probation agent” means an individual serving as a parole and
probation agent, supervisor, or regional administrator for the Department of Public Safety
and Correctional Services.
[(f)] (G) “Program” means the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program
for Police Officers [and], Probation Agents, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS.
18–3702.
(a) There is a Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Police Officers
[and], Probation Agents, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS in the State.
(b) The Office shall distribute funds from the Program to assist in the repayment
of a higher education loan owed by a police officer [or], probation agent, OR
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER who:
(1) Receives a graduate, professional, or undergraduate degree from a
public college or university in the State;
(2) Obtains eligible employment; and
(3) Satisfies any other criteria established by the Office.
Subtitle 38. Maryland Police Officers [and], Probation Agents, AND CORRECTIONAL
OFFICERS Scholarship Program.
18–3801.
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(B) “CORRECTIONAL OFFICER” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 8–201 OF
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ARTICLE.
[(b)] (C) “Eligible institution” means:
(1) A public senior higher education institution in the State; or
(2) A community college in the State.
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 679
[(c)] (D) “Police officer” has the meaning stated in § 3–201 of the Public Safety
Article.
[(d)] (E) “Probation agent” means an individual serving as a parole and
probation agent, supervisor, or regional administrator for the Department of Public Safety
and Correctional Services.
[(e)] (F) “Service obligation” means to work as a police officer [or], probation
agent, OR CORRECTIONAL OFFICER in the State not less than 5 years during the 8–year
period after graduation.
18–3802.
(a) There is a Maryland Police Officers [and], Probation Agents, AND
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS Scholarship Program.
(b) The purpose of the program is to provide tuition assistance for students who
are:
(1) Attending an eligible institution and enrolled in a degree program that
would further the student’s intent to become a police officer [or], probation agent, OR
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER after graduation; or
(2) Employed as a police officer [or], probation agent, OR CORRECTIONAL
OFFICER, attending an eligible institution, and enrolled in a degree program that would
further the police officer’s [or], probation officer’s, OR CORRECTIONAL OFFICER’S career.
(c) The Office shall publicize the availability of the Maryland Police Officers
[and], Probation Agents, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS Scholarship.
18–3803.
(a) Each year, the Office shall select eligible students and offer a scholarship to
each student selected to be used at an eligible institution of the student’s choice.
(b) A recipient of the Maryland Police Officers [and], Probation Agents, AND
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS Scholarship shall:
(1) Be a Maryland resident or have graduated from a Maryland high
school;
(2) Be accepted for admission or currently enrolled at an eligible institution
as a full–time or part–time undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a course of study
or program that would further the recipient’s career;
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Ch. 679 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
(3) Sign a letter of intent to perform the service obligation on completion of
the recipient’s required studies; and
(4) Satisfy any additional criteria the Commission may establish.
(c) A current police officer [or], probation agent, OR CORRECTIONAL OFFICER
shall be eligible for a Maryland Police Officers [and], Probation Agents, AND
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS Scholarship if they meet the eligibility criteria under
subsection (b) of this section.
18–3804.
The recipient of a Maryland Police Officers [and], Probation Agents, AND
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS Scholarship shall repay the Commission the funds received
as set forth in § 18–112 of this title if the recipient does not:
(1) Satisfy the degree requirements of the eligible course of study or
program or fulfill other requirements as provided in this subtitle; or
(2) Perform the service obligation to work as a police officer [or], probation
agent, OR CORRECTIONAL OFFICER for at least 5 years during the 8–year period after
graduation.
18–3807.
The Office shall:
(1) Publicize the availability of Maryland Police Officers [and], Probation
Agents, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS Scholarships; and
(2) To the extent practicable, award scholarships under this subtitle in a
manner that reflects ethnic, gender, racial, and geographic diversity.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2026.
Approved by the Governor, May 26, 2026.
–4–Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.