HB 1321 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Child Care Scholarship Program - Application Process and Copays - Alterations

HB 1321 modifies Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program to protect certain low-income families from enrollment freezes. It prohibits enrollment freezes from applying to families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, TANF, children on Social Security Income, or homeless children - ensuring these groups maintain access. If a freeze occurs, the State Department of Education must create a waitlist prioritizing these protected individuals. The bill also limits copay increases for specific participants and requires the Department to identify applicants eligible for free prekindergarten.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 12, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Child Care Scholarship Program - Enrollment and Copays - Alterations → Third - Child Care Scholarship Program - Application Process and Copays - Alterations · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly amended to expand its scope from focusing solely on enrollment freezes and copays to also include the application process and waitlist management. The text was reorganized to clarify that the Department of Education must establish a waitlist for eligible individuals when enrollment is frozen and must give priority to those on the list. Additionally, the bill now explicitly requires the Department to assist applicants qualifying for publicly funded prekindergarten, Head Start, and Early Head Start, broadening the program's support beyond just financial copays.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a narrow focus on preventing enrollment freezes and adjusting copays to include the establishment of a mandatory waitlist and priority enrollment procedures for specific groups.

SCOPE

Added explicit requirements for the Department of Education to establish and manage a waitlist for eligible applicants when enrollment is frozen.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded the list of programs considered for priority assistance to include publicly funded prekindergarten, Head Start, and Early Head Start, in addition to existing criteria.

REQUIREMENT

Reorganized the bill text to clearly separate the prohibition of enrollment freezes for certain groups from the new requirements regarding the application process and waitlist management.

Added a requirement for the Department to identify, inform, and assist applicants who qualify for specific early childhood programs under certain conditions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 49

Mar 27, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 595

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 27, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)

senate

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment Budget and Taxation

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Feb 27, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (131-6-5)

house of delegates

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

First Reading Ways and Means and Appropriations

lower

13 primary · 0 co-sponsors