Bill

Bill > HB923


MD HB923

MD HB923
Higher Education - Appointment of Secretary and Student Financial Assistance - Accommodations at Public Institutions for Religious Beliefs


summary

Introduced
02/09/2023
In Committee
03/31/2023
Crossed Over
03/20/2023
Passed
04/08/2023
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/16/2023

Introduced Session

2023 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT concerning Higher Education - Appointment of Secretary and Student Financial Assistance - Alterations Accommodations at Public Institutions for Religious Beliefs FOR the purpose of providing that the Secretary of Higher Education is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the Governor; requiring each institution of higher education to adopt a certain written policy regarding the provision of reasonable academic accommodations for students to practice sincerely held faith-based or religious beliefs; altering eligibility criteria for, and the process for awards from, the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Program of Educational Excellence Awards; altering eligibility criteria for services provided to students through the Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program; altering the administration of the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship to require community colleges to award scholarships from the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship in place of the Office of Student Financial assistance within the Maryland Higher Education Commission; repealing certain provisions of law related to the intent of the General Assembly for the Commission to be reorganized to establish the Office of Student Financial Assistance as a separate independent agency in a certain fiscal year; and generally relating to the appointment of the Secretary of Higher Education and, student financial assistance programs in the State, and accommodations at public institutions for religious beliefs. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Education Section 11-104(a) and (b), 18-303, 18-303.1(c) and (d), 18-303.3, 18-304, 18-307, 18-3601, 18-3602, 18-3603, and 18-3604 Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume) BY adding to Article - Education Section 18-303.4 and 15-136, 18-303.4, and 18-3603.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume) BY repealing Chapter 639 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2022 Section 3 BY repealing Chapter 640 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2022 Section 3 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Education Section 18-303 and 18-303.3 Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume) (As enacted by Section 1 of this Act)

AI Summary

This bill: - Provides that the Secretary of Higher Education is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor, rather than being appointed based on recommendations from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. - Requires each public institution of higher education to adopt a written policy providing reasonable academic accommodations for students to practice sincerely held faith-based or religious beliefs, such as excused absences for observing religious holidays or participating in organized religious activities. - Alters the eligibility criteria and administration of several student financial assistance programs in Maryland, including the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Program of Educational Excellence Awards, the Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program, and the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship. - Repeals provisions related to the intent of the General Assembly to reorganize the Maryland Higher Education Commission to establish the Office of Student Financial Assistance as a separate independent agency. The bill makes various changes to the appointment of the Secretary of Higher Education and student financial assistance programs in the state, while also addressing accommodations at public institutions for religious beliefs.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Education

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 634 (on 05/16/2023)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...