Bill > H1425

This bill aims to increase transparency and fairness in higher education admissions by establishing new reporting requirements and restrictions for 4-year degree-granting institutions. Specifically, the bill requires colleges to annually report detailed information about their admissions practices, including preferences for legacy students (those with relatives who attended the institution), early decision and early action admission policies, and the socioeconomic breakdown of enrolled students using federal financial aid metrics. Institutions will be prohibited from considering legacy status or donor relationships in admissions without paying a public service fee calculated as a percentage of their endowment, with higher fees for institutions with larger per-student endowments. The bill creates a Higher Education Opportunity Trust Fund managed by a 7-member board of trustees, which will use the collected fees to support public community colleges and state universities. The fund aims to promote educational opportunity by channeling resources from private institutions to public higher education segments. Key terms like "early action" and "early decision" are defined, and institutions must disaggregate their reporting by racial subgroups and financial aid status. The new regulations will take effect on July 1, 2026, giving institutions time to prepare for the new reporting and fee requirements.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1425