HB 849 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Child Care Scholarship Program - Freeze in Enrollment - Exceptions and Waitlist

HB 849 prevents certain groups from being cut off from Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program if a freeze on new enrollments is implemented. It specifically protects families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, TANF, or Social Security Income; siblings of currently enrolled children; individuals who recently lost jobs (within 30 days); and government workers furloughed due to a shutdown lasting over 7 days. The bill adds these exceptions to the existing rules that would otherwise allow the program to freeze enrollment. This change ensures these vulnerable groups maintain access to child care assistance during enrollment freezes.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Child Care Scholarship Program - Freeze in Enrollment - Exceptions → Third - Child Care Scholarship Program - Freeze in Enrollment - Exceptions and Waitlist · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope by adding homeless children to the list of individuals exempt from enrollment freezes. Additionally, the bill was updated to explicitly require the State Department of Education to establish a waitlist for the Child Care Scholarship Program and to give priority enrollment to those on the list. The list of sponsors was also updated to include several new delegates.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include homeless children as a protected group exempt from enrollment freezes, and it now mandates the creation of a waitlist system for the program.

ELIGIBILITY

Homeless children were added to the list of individuals who cannot be excluded from the Child Care Scholarship Program during enrollment freezes.

REQUIREMENT

The State Department of Education is now required to establish a waitlist for the program and give priority enrollment to individuals on that list.

The Department is required to develop a new application form that collects specific information.

SCOPE

The bill's title and purpose statement were updated to reflect the new waitlist requirements and the inclusion of homeless children.

TECHNICAL

The list of bill sponsors was updated to include new delegates and correct the name of an existing sponsor.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 49

Mar 27, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 594

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 27, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)

senate

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment Budget and Taxation

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Feb 27, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (124-13-5)

house of delegates

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

First Reading Ways and Means

lower

28 primary · 0 co-sponsors