Bill > HB184

This bill addresses transcript access for students at nonpublic schools (private schools participating in state-funded education programs) by prohibiting these schools from withholding or penalizing transcript requests due to student debt. Specifically, the bill defines "debt" as any money owed by a student to the school, excluding the actual cost of providing a transcript. The bill prevents nonpublic schools from: refusing to issue transcripts because of outstanding debt, conditioning transcript issuance on debt payment, charging higher fees for transcripts due to debt, treating transcript requests differently because of debt, or using transcript issuance as a debt collection method. This legislation aims to ensure that students can obtain their academic records regardless of outstanding financial obligations, which could potentially impact their ability to transfer schools, apply to higher education, or seek employment. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving schools time to adjust their policies to comply with the new requirements.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0184?ys=2025RS