Bill > SB690

This bill expands the Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship Program to include correctional officers as eligible recipients. Currently limited to police officers and probation agents, the scholarship program will now provide tuition assistance to correctional officers who are either students intending to become correctional officers or current correctional officers seeking to further their education. Eligible students must be Maryland residents or high school graduates, accepted to or enrolled in an eligible institution (public senior higher education institutions or community colleges), and willing to sign a letter of intent to work as a correctional officer for at least 5 years within an 8-year period after graduation. The bill requires the Governor to appropriate at least $5 million annually, with $2.5 million designated for students planning to become correctional officers and another $2.5 million for existing correctional officers pursuing further education. The program aims to support law enforcement professionals by helping them access higher education while ensuring they continue serving in their critical public safety roles. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing a clear timeline for implementation of the expanded scholarship program.

Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0690?ys=2025RS