HB 270, the Military Family Inclusion Act, adds specific military family representation requirements to four Maryland state boards and commissions. It modifies the Maryland Commission on Caregiving to require one "family caregiver of a service-disabled veteran" as a member, and amends the Maryland Veterans Commission to add "an organization representing military families" as a designated appointee. The bill also updates the Maryland Trust Fund Board to include an appointed representative from a military family organization and adjusts the Youth Advisory Council to include a service member appointed by the Department of Veterans and Military Families. These changes directly affect how these bodies are composed, ensuring military family perspectives are formally included in their governance structures. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 96 updates terminology in Maryland's Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program by removing the word "active" before "service member" throughout the law. This change clarifies that the program serves all service members (including those not currently on active duty), veterans, and their families, without altering eligibility criteria or funding. The bill specifically revises definitions in Section 7.5-210(a)(2)(i), (b)(2), and (e)(1)(ii) to replace "active service member" with "service member." It does not create new benefits or change who qualifies for grants, only how the program describes its target population. The change aims to align the law with the program's actual scope and improve clarity.
SB 142 expands tuition and training assistance for Maryland National Guard members. It broadens eligible institutions to include private vocational/trade schools with 50% tuition waivers and adds covered expenses like tools, uniforms, certification fees, and digital resources. Active Guard members (enlisted or commissioned) attending approved institutions can receive 100% coverage for tuition and qualifying training costs, provided they commit to 2-4 years of continued service after course completion. The bill applies to undergraduate, graduate, vocational, and trade courses, with specific provisions if a member's unit disbands.
HB 232 expands tuition and training assistance for Maryland National Guard members. It allows full coverage of in-state tuition and new "training assistance" costs (including uniforms, certifications, tools, and digital resources) at more institutions, including recognized vocational, trade, and career schools. Active Guard members attending eligible programs must agree to serve an additional 2 years (for undergraduate/vocational courses) or 4 years (for graduate/professional courses) after completing their studies. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to members certified by the Adjutant General.
HB 720 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the current cutoff of June 30, 2030, for awarding new scholarships and eliminating restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before that date. This change directly affects eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents (spouses, children) who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts and meet Maryland residency and enrollment requirements at participating institutions. The bill maintains all existing provisions, including the 50% tuition coverage limit, 2.5 GPA requirement, and 5-year full-time renewal period. It ensures the scholarship program continues indefinitely without time-based restrictions on new awards or renewals.
SB 7 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the June 30, 2030 cutoff that previously prevented new awards after that date. This change allows the scholarship to be awarded indefinitely to eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents who meet Maryland residency and educational requirements. The bill also removes restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before 2030. The scholarship covers up to 50% of tuition, fees, and room/board at Maryland public universities, requiring a 2.5 GPA and 5 years of full-time study. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 980 modifies Maryland's property tax credit for disabled veterans and surviving spouses by adjusting the required disability rating thresholds. It lowers the minimum rating for the 50% credit from 75% to 70% and for the 25% credit from 74% to 69%, expanding eligibility without changing existing income limits ($100,000 for single filers, $200,000 for joint filers). The bill applies to veterans or surviving spouses owning a dwelling house who meet the revised disability criteria. This change takes effect for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.
HB 139 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) starting in 2026, allowing veterans to purchase items under $2,000 without paying Maryland's sales tax. To qualify, veterans must show a driver's license or ID card noting veteran status at the point of sale. The Comptroller can suspend the tax-free day at their discretion. This law directly affects veterans shopping for qualifying items on Veterans Day, creating a temporary sales tax exemption with specific verification requirements.
HB 420, the Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act, allows active-duty service members and their spouses in Maryland to practice in their profession under an out-of-state license during certain circumstances, without needing full Maryland licensure. It also updates the definition of "eligible veteran" to include former service members discharged over a specific period before applying for a license. The bill creates a new licensing framework (Subtitle 14A) across multiple Maryland law sections to streamline these processes. This directly affects military personnel, spouses, and veterans seeking to work in licensed professions like healthcare, education, or trades within Maryland.
SB 192, the Military Family Inclusion Act, modifies membership requirements for four Maryland state commissions and boards to include military family representation. It adds a "family caregiver of a service-disabled veteran" to the Commission on Caregiving, designates an "organization representing military families" as a voting member on the Trust Fund Board, and requires the Veterans Commission to include such an organization in its appointment list. The bill also adds a "service member" position to the Maryland Youth Advisory Council, appointed by the Department of Veterans and Military Families. These changes, effective October 1, 2026, adjust who serves on existing advisory bodies without creating new programs or benefits. The bill directly affects how these state boards are composed but does not alter funding or services for military families.
