Bill > HB818

This bill expands benefits for foster care recipients and homeless youth attending public institutions of higher education in Maryland, requiring these institutions to provide free room and board, as well as necessary books, course materials, supplies, and equipment, to eligible students who qualify for a tuition exemption. A "foster care recipient" is defined as an individual placed in out-of-home care by the Department of Human Services who meets specific criteria related to their 18th birthday, high school graduation, or a period of out-of-home placement followed by guardianship, adoption, or reunification, and this definition also includes younger siblings in certain circumstances. "Homeless youth" are defined as individuals with a consistent presence in the state for at least a year before enrollment, verified as homeless under federal law (McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) by specific officials or agencies, and who have been homeless within 24 months prior to or during enrollment. The bill clarifies that "room and board" refers to on-campus housing and food costs or the estimated cost for off-campus living, excluding transportation and other personal expenses. Students are eligible for the tuition exemption and these additional benefits if they enroll before age 25, are pursuing a vocational certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree, and have applied for federal and state financial aid; importantly, any scholarships or grants received by these students cannot be used to cover tuition but can be applied to room and board or educational materials. The exemption continues until the student earns a bachelor's degree or for 10 years after first enrolling in an associate's or bachelor's program. Public institutions are also required to prioritize on-campus housing for these students, designate a liaison to assist them with financial aid and other services, make application information readily available, and establish an appeal process for denied applications for the exemption and accompanying benefits, with institutions needing to report annually on the number of students receiving or denied these benefits.