Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1274: Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Established (Eric's Law)
Status: In committee, March 20, 2026
Requiring local school systems to award posthumous honorary diplomas to certain deceased students who were at the time of death enrolled in any grade from kindergarten through grade 12 in a public school, and for whom a written request was made by a parent, legal guardian, or next of kin.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Authorized FOR the purpose of authorizing local school systems to award standard high school diplomas, posthumous honorary diplomas, and in memoriam diplomas to certain deceased students, subject to certain requirements; and generally relating to the posthumous awarding of diplomas…
From the introduced text, February 12, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Authorized FOR the purpose of authorizing local school systems to award standard high school diplomas, posthumous honorary diplomas, and in memoriam diplomas to certain deceased students, subject to certain requirements; and generally relating to the posthumous awarding of diplomas. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Education Section 7-205(c) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Education Section 7-206 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 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 7-205. (c) (1) Each student who graduates from a public high school shall receive the same type of diploma or certificate, regardless of the high school attended or the course taken. EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1274* HOUSE BILL 1274 (2) The diploma or certificate shall state that the student has completed a program of studies satisfactorily in accordance with the requirements of the State Board. 7-206. (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. (2) "IN MEMORIAM DIPLOMA" MEANS A CEREMONIAL DIPLOMA RECOGNIZING A STUDENT'S ENROLLMENT AND MEMBERSHIP IN …
Sponsors
- April Fleming Miller (R, HD-004) · primary sponsor
- Jackie Addison (D, 45)
- Jason Buckel (R, HD-001B)
- Coley, Derrick (D, 24)
- Eric Ebersole (D, 44A)
- Michael Griffith (R, HD-035B)
- Wayne Hartman (R, HD-038C)
- Kevin Hornberger (R, HD-035A)
- Bob Long (R, HD-006)
- Bernice Mireku-North (D, 14)
- Julie Palakovich Carr (D, HD-017)
- Cheryl Pasteur (D, HD-011)
Latest actions
- : Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
- : Third Reading Passed (132-0)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Favorable with Amendments {523220/1 Adopted
- : Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
- : Hearing 3/11 at 1:45 p.m.
- : Hearing 3/11 at 1:30 p.m.
- : Hearing canceled
- : Hearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m.
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (132-0) (March 18, 2026): 132 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1274?
- HB1274 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Established (Eric's Law).
- What does HB1274 do?
- In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Authorized FOR the purpose of authorizing local school systems to award standard high school diplomas, posthumous honorary diplomas, and in memoriam diplomas to certain deceased students, subject to certain requirements; and generally relating to the posthumous awarding of diplomas…
- What is the status of HB1274?
- In committee as of March 20, 2026. Latest action: Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m. (March 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1274?
- April Fleming Miller (R, HD-004), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1274?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1274?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.