Maryland Senate Bill SB0212

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/26
• Refer: 1/14/26
• Report Pass: 3/19/26
• Engrossed: 3/20/26
• Refer: 3/21/26
• Report Pass: 4/10/26

Caption

Higher Education - Nonresident Tuition - Exemption for Spouses and Dependents of State or Local Public Safety Employees (Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act)

Summary

SB212 creates a new tuition exemption for the spouses and financially dependent children of certain State or local public safety employees who die as a result of, or in the course of, performing their duties. The exemption applies at public institutions of higher education in Maryland and covers both out-of-state and out-of-county tuition, regardless of where the spouse or child resides. The bill is titled the Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act. The bill defines the covered public safety employees by reference to existing Education Article provisions, including career or volunteer firefighters, ambulance and rescue personnel, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and Maryland National Guard members who were Maryland residents at the time of death. It also directs the Maryland Higher Education Commission to adopt regulations to implement the new benefit, and it takes effect July 1, 2026.

Impact

SB212 adds a new section to the Education Article, Section 15-106.12, creating a statewide tuition waiver for eligible surviving spouses and dependent children at public colleges and universities. It expands existing nonresident tuition policy by overriding normal residency and county-based tuition rules for this narrow class of beneficiaries, and it requires the Maryland Higher Education Commission to establish implementing regulations. The bill also cross-references and relies on the existing statutory definition of “State or local public safety employee” in Section 18-601.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the Senate 41-0 and the House 132-0, indicating unanimous approval in both chambers. The title and structure of the bill suggest a commemorative and supportive policy aimed at honoring fallen public safety personnel and assisting their families with higher education costs.

Contention

No committee transcript or recorded debate is provided, and the voting record shows no opposition on final passage. As a result, there is no documented substantive contention in the available materials. Any potential policy questions would likely center on the scope of eligibility, the fiscal impact on public institutions, and the administrative rules needed to verify beneficiary status, but those issues are not reflected in the supplied discussion or votes.