Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1311: Higher Education – Student Financial Assistance for Incarcerated Individuals – Alterations
Status: In committee, April 13, 2026
Requiring the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to assist incarcerated individuals in accessing certain student financial assistance; and requiring incarcerated individuals who meet eligibility criteria for certain student financial assistance to have access to student financial assistance.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Higher Education - Student Financial Assistance for Incarcerated Individuals - Alterations FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to assist incarcerated individuals in accessing certain student financial assistance; requiring incarcerated individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for certain student financial assistance to have access to student financial assistance; and generally relating to student financial assistance for incarcerated individuals…
From the introduced text, February 12, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Higher Education - Student Financial Assistance for Incarcerated Individuals - Alterations FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to assist incarcerated individuals in accessing certain student financial assistance; requiring incarcerated individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for certain student financial assistance to have access to student financial assistance; and generally relating to student financial assistance for incarcerated individuals. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Correctional Services Section 2-701 to be under the amended subtitle "Subtitle 7. Federal and State Student Financial Assistance Access and Postsecondary Education Program Tracking Systems" Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY adding to Article - Education Section 18-116 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 - Correctional Services Subtitle 7. Federal [Pell Grants] AND STATE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Access and Postsecondary Education Program Tracking Systems. EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1311* HOUSE BILL 1311 2-701. (a) The Department shall assist incarcerated individuals in accessing federal Pell Grants AND STATE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE for higher education. (b) In order to assist incarcerated individuals in …