Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB849: Child Care Scholarship Program - Freeze in Enrollment - Exceptions and Waitlist
Status: Signed into law, May 26, 2026
Prohibiting a freeze in enrollment in the Child Care Scholarship Program from including certain individuals enrolled in certain governmental support programs, children with siblings enrolled in the Program, and children who are homeless; requiring the State Department of Education to establish a waitlist for the Program under certain conditions; requiring the Department to give priority for enrollment in the Program to certain individuals on the waitlist; requiring a new application for the program that collects certain information; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Child Care Scholarship Program - Freeze in Enrollment - Exceptions and Waitlist FOR the purpose of prohibiting a freeze in enrollment in the Child Care Scholarship Program from including certain individuals enrolled in certain governmental support programs, children with siblings enrolled in the Program, individuals with certain employment issues, and individuals employed by a child care provider and children who are homeless; requiring the State Department of Education to establish a waitlist for the Program under certain conditions…
From the enrolled text, June 3, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Child Care Scholarship Program - Freeze in Enrollment - Exceptions and Waitlist FOR the purpose of prohibiting a freeze in enrollment in the Child Care Scholarship Program from including certain individuals enrolled in certain governmental support programs, children with siblings enrolled in the Program, individuals with certain employment issues, and individuals employed by a child care provider and children who are homeless; requiring the State Department of Education to establish a waitlist for the Program under certain conditions; requiring the Department to give priority for enrollment in the Program to certain individuals on the waitlist; requiring the Department to develop a new application for the Program that collects certain information; and generally relating to exceptions to a freeze in enrollment in and a waitlist for the Child Care Scholarship Program. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Education Section 9.5-111 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 9.5-111. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Analysis" means the market rate survey or an alternative method allowable under federal law. (3) "Program" means the Child Care Scholarship Program. (b) (1) Beginning in 2017, and every 2 …