Maryland HB623: Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program

What the bill says

An act concerning Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program FOR the purpose of altering the definition of "military-connected student" under the Purple Star Schools Program to conform with certain terms defined under State law; establishing the Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize certain colleges that provide strong services and support for military-connected students; and generally relating to the establishment of the Purple Star Colleges Program…

From the enrolled text, June 3, 2026:

AN ACT concerning Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program FOR the purpose of altering the definition of "military-connected student" under the Purple Star Schools Program to conform with certain terms defined under State law; establishing the Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize certain colleges that provide strong services and support for military-connected students; and generally relating to the establishment of the Purple Star Colleges Program. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Education Section 7-129(a) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Education Section 10-101(a), (c), and (h) through (j) Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Education Section 11-2001 through 11-2003 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 20. Purple Star Colleges Program" Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Education 7-129. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Military-connected student" means a student who is a dependent Ch. 670 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND (ii) A member of a reserve component] A SERVICE MEMBER; or [(iii)] (II) A SERVICE member [described in item (i) …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Edith Patterson (D, HD-028) · primary sponsor
• Nick Allen (D, 8)
• Steven Arentz (R, HD-036)
• Heather Bagnall (D, 33C)
• Dylan Behler (D, 30A)
• Adrian Boafo (D, 23)
• Jason Buckel (R, HD-001B)
• Coley, Derrick (D, 24)
• Charlotte Crutchfield (D, 19)
• Kris Fair (D, 3)
• Jessica Feldmark (D, 12A)
• Michael Griffith (R, HD-035B)

Latest actions

1. May 26, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 670
2. April 8, 2026: Returned Passed
3. April 8, 2026: Third Reading Passed (43-0)
4. April 3, 2026: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
5. April 2, 2026: Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
6. February 27, 2026: Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
7. February 26, 2026: Third Reading Passed (136-0)
8. February 24, 2026: Second Reading Passed
9. February 24, 2026: Favorable Adopted
10. February 23, 2026: Favorable Report by Appropriations

Votes

• Third Reading Passed (43-0) (April 8, 2026): 43 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Third Reading Passed (136-0) (February 26, 2026): 136 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB623?

HB623 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program.

What does HB623 do?

In its own words: An act concerning Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program FOR the purpose of altering the definition of "military-connected student" under the Purple Star Schools Program to conform with certain terms defined under State law; establishing the Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize certain colleges that provide strong services and support for military-connected students; and generally relating to the establishment of the Purple Star Colleges Program…

What is the status of HB623?

Signed into law as of May 26, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 670 (May 26, 2026).

Who sponsored HB623?

Edith Patterson (D, HD-028), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB623?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0623?ys=2026RS