Adult Education - High School Diploma by Examination - Requirements and Study
HB 325 allows adults seeking a high school diploma through the GED exam to take all test components in either English or Spanish, directly affecting adult learners, particularly English language learners with interrupted education. The bill requires Maryland's Department of Labor to study offering the exam in additional languages and submit a report to legislative committees by December 2026. It amends existing law to expand language options for the exam while maintaining other eligibility requirements, such as not having previously earned a diploma. The policy change focuses on improving access to the diploma pathway through language flexibility.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 10, 2025
Signed May 6, 2025
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1 edit
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May 6, 2025
MINOR
The bill was enrolled and sent to the Governor for final approval. The most significant substantive change is the effective date of the law, which was moved from October 1, 2025, to July 1, 2025, accelerating the implementation of the high school diploma by examination program.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it still applies to adult residents of Maryland seeking a high school diploma by examination.
TIMELINE
The effective date of the Act was changed from October 1, 2025, to July 1, 2025, meaning the new requirements and examination options will begin earlier than originally planned.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 15, 2025 · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2025
How they voted
44–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 46
Mar 15, 2025
D
Democratic33
93% Yea
R
Republican13
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
11
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 6, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 328
executive
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed Enrolled
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
House Concurs Senate Amendments
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 15, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (44-0-2)
senate
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion Special Order until 02/26 (Delegate Szeliga) Adopted
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
lower
Jan 10, 2025
Committee
First Reading Ways and Means
lower
19 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bernice Mireku-North
DDemocratic
P
Caylin Young
DDemocratic
P
Chao Wu
DDemocratic
P
Denise Roberts
DDemocratic
P
Edith Patterson
DDemocratic
P
Eric Ebersole
DDemocratic
P
Gary Simmons
DDemocratic
P
Greg Wims
DDemocratic
P
Jessica Feldmark
DDemocratic
P
Jheanelle Wilkins
DDemocratic
P
Joe Vogel
DDemocratic
P
JP
Joseline Peña-Melnyk
DDemocratic
P
Julie Palakovich Carr
DDemocratic
P
Kent Roberson
DDemocratic
P
Kris Fair
DDemocratic
P
Mary Lehman
DDemocratic
P
Melissa Wells
DDemocratic
P
Regina Boyce
DDemocratic
P
Vanessa Atterbeary
DDemocratic
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