Bill > SB532

This bill requires each public senior higher education institution and community college in Maryland to report annually to the Maryland Higher Education Commission on how they provide students with access to over-the-counter contraception, which refers to any contraceptive drug or device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that can be obtained without a prescription. These reports must detail the methods of access, whether all available over-the-counter contraceptive options are provided, the quantity of contraception distributed, and how students and student organizations were consulted. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will then compile this information into an annual report for the General Assembly. Additionally, the bill mandates that each community college must ensure students have access to all methods of over-the-counter contraception through various means, such as student health centers, on-campus retail, or vending machines, and this access must be established by August 1, 2025. The reporting and access requirements for higher education institutions and community colleges are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.