HB 643 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Higher Education - Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program - Eligibility

HB 643 expands Maryland's Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program to include veterinarians and veterinary technicians. It allows these professionals to qualify for student loan repayment if they work as state employees for at least 5 years or volunteer at qualified animal shelters for 100+ hours yearly over 3 years. Qualifying shelters must be owned by local governments, animal control contractors, or organizations that received Maryland's spay/neuter grants. The bill updates existing eligibility criteria without changing the program's core structure or funding.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - Higher Education - Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program - Eligibility → Third - Higher Education - Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program - Eligibility · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision expands eligibility for the Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program by adding new categories of professionals who can receive loan repayment assistance. The changes primarily affect veterinary practitioners and veterinary technicians, who now have additional pathways to qualify for the program through employment or volunteer work at animal shelters.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include veterinary practitioners and veterinary technicians as eligible recipients of loan assistance repayment, whereas previously these professions were not explicitly covered under the same conditions.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility for veterinary practitioners who work as state employees for at least 5 years or volunteer at qualifying animal shelters for at least 100 hours per year for 3 years.

Added eligibility for veterinary technicians who work as state employees for at least 5 years or volunteer at qualifying animal shelters for at least 100 hours per year for 3 years.

Reorganized and clarified the structure of eligibility criteria for various professions, including teachers, mental health professionals, nurses, and veterinary staff.

Expanded the list of qualifying animal shelters to include those contracted for animal control services and those that received Maryland Spay and Neuter Grants Program funding in the prior year.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 28, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 6, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 388

executive

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations

lower

Feb 28, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-2-5)

house of delegates

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

First Reading Appropriations

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors