HB 623 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program

HB 623 creates Maryland's Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize colleges providing strong support for military-connected students, while updating the existing Purple Star Schools Program. The bill directly affects military-connected students (including service members, veterans, and their spouses/dependents) and colleges, including both public/private higher education institutions and private career schools. Key provisions require colleges to appoint a military liaison to assist new military-connected students with transitions, and maintain an easily accessible website with resources on relocation, enrollment, academic planning, and support services. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the program and establish minimum criteria for colleges to earn Purple Star designation.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Jan 30, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program → Third - Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to update its procedural status to reflect adoption and favorable committee action, while simultaneously reorganizing the text to insert the new 'Purple Star Colleges Program' subtitle into the Education Article. The substantive policy content regarding the program's purpose and the specific duties of the required staff liaison remains unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the program's operation and eligibility criteria has not changed; only the bill's procedural metadata and the structural placement of the new subtitle within the code were modified.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to reflect that it was adopted and reported favorably by the committee, indicating it has passed the House.

Replaced the introductory 'A BILL ENTITLED' text with 'CHAPTER ______' to prepare the document for official publication.

Reordered the text to insert the new 'Subtitle 20. Purple Star Colleges Program' into the Article of Education, while preserving the original definitions and program requirements.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 670

executive

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Appropriations

lower

Feb 20, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (137-0-5)

house of delegates

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

First Reading Appropriations

lower

46 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

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