Sickle Cell Disease - Institutions of Higher Education - Policies, Procedures, and Educational Campaigns (Kaitlyn's Law)
Summary
HB60, titled Kaitlyn’s Law, creates new requirements for Maryland institutions of higher education regarding students with sickle cell disease. The bill prohibits colleges and universities from denying access to facilities or services because a student has sickle cell disease and requires those institutions to provide reasonable accommodations. It also requires each institution to establish and publicize a clear, accessible process for reporting alleged violations of these protections.
The bill further directs the Maryland Department of Health, working with the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Statewide Steering Committee on Sickle Cell Disease, treatment providers, and community organizations, to develop an education and awareness campaign for campuses. That campaign must explain the challenges faced by young adults with sickle cell disease and identify accommodations and supports that can help them succeed academically while managing the condition. The Department must also develop a broader framework and procedures for institutions to use in assessing, supporting, and treating affected students, along with training and technical assistance for campus personnel.
Impact
HB60 adds new provisions to the Education Article and Health-General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. It creates an affirmative duty for institutions of higher education to accommodate students with sickle cell disease, bars discrimination in access to campus facilities and services based on diagnosis, and requires reporting and notice procedures. It also assigns the Department of Health a continuing role in developing statewide guidance, educational materials, and implementation support for colleges and universities, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support. It passed third reading in the House by a wide margin, 128 yeas to 4 nays, and there is no committee transcript indicating significant opposition or debate in the available record. The favorable committee report and strong floor vote suggest the measure was viewed as a targeted student-support and health-access bill rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
The main policy issues are likely to be the scope of required accommodations, how institutions will implement reporting and support procedures, and the administrative burden of training, monitoring, and awareness campaigns. The bill also leaves some implementation details to the Department of Health and partner entities, which may raise questions about resources and compliance. However, the available record shows little overt contention, and any disagreement appears limited relative to the strong overall support.