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SB 9 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Maryland Higher Education Commission - Academic Program Approval - Revisions

SB 9 requires nonpublic (private nonprofit) Maryland colleges to submit a letter of intent to the Maryland Higher Education Commission before proposing new graduate-level programs. It repeals a previous restriction that limited which institutions could propose certain graduate programs, expanding this process to all nonpublic institutions. The bill updates the State Plan for Higher Education to explicitly include specific academic programs that could fulfill current or emerging workforce needs. This change aims to improve coordination between institutions and the Commission regarding graduate programs aligned with state workforce goals.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals restrictions on nonpublic colleges proposing graduate programs, expands access to program approvals, and aligns curriculum with workforce needs.90% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2024
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Oct 1, 2024 Signed Apr 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Maryland Higher Education Commission - Academic Program Approval - Revisions → Third - Maryland Higher Education Commission - Academic Program Approval - Revisions · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to clarify which institutions must submit letters of intent for new graduate programs, remove a requirement for the Commission to circulate those letters to other institutions, and expand the list of statutes being repealed and reenacted. These changes streamline the academic program approval process by reducing administrative burdens on the Maryland Higher Education Commission while maintaining oversight of new graduate programs.
Scope change
The bill now applies to both public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education regarding new graduate program proposals, with clarified reporting requirements.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Commission to circulate letters of intent to other institutions, reducing administrative steps in the program approval process.

SCOPE

Expanded the list of repealed and reenacted statutes to include additional sections of the Education Article, clarifying the legislative intent regarding academic program approvals.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata to reflect Senate adoption and committee report status, and corrected chapter numbering references.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 26, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 15, 2025

How they voted

44–0
Passed
Total votes 44
Jan 26, 2025
D Democratic31
31 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 22, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 143
executive
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Appropriations
lower
Mar 15, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (134-0-5)
house of delegates
Jan 31, 2025
Committee
Referred Appropriations
lower
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Jan 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Jan 26, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (44-0)
senate
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Oct 1, 2024
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.