Student Service Hours - Financial Literacy Course

HB 326 requires Maryland county school boards to allow high school students to fulfill part of their graduation service hour requirement by completing approved financial literacy courses starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill defines an "eligible financial literacy course" as one offered by higher education institutions or approved organizations, and approved by the county board. Students would apply successful course completion toward their service hour requirement, with the number of hours counted determined by each county board. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and the State Board must create regulations to implement it. This directly affects Maryland high school students seeking to meet graduation requirements.