SB 983 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Higher Education - Academic Program Approval - Objections Process Alteration and Study

SB 983 removes a rule requiring objections to new academic programs to be limited to graduate programs. It allows Maryland's Higher Education Commission or institutions to object to *any* new program (including undergraduate) if it conflicts with an institution's mission, fails to meet regional needs, causes harmful duplication, or violates equal opportunity laws. The bill directly affects public and private colleges/universities in Maryland and the state's higher education oversight body. It changes the objection process by eliminating the "graduate program" requirement in existing law while keeping the four existing grounds for objections intact. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 15, 2026 Last action Mar 26, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Higher Education - Academic Program Approval - Objections → Third - Higher Education - Academic Program Approval - Objections Process Alteration and Study · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope from only graduate programs to include specific new undergraduate programs, requiring a study on whether the objection process should apply to them. It also added a sunset clause, ensuring the law automatically expires after one year unless extended.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include new undergraduate programs in addition to graduate programs, and a temporary time limit was added to the legislation.

SCOPE

The purpose statement was updated to require a study on extending the objection process to include certain new undergraduate programs, in addition to the existing focus on graduate programs.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added for the Program Review Process Advisory Council to study and make recommendations on extending the objection process to specific undergraduate programs, considering legal precedents regarding program duplication.

TIMELINE

A sunset provision was added, limiting the Act's effectiveness to one year (until June 30, 2027), after which it will automatically expire without further action.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting changes were made to the bill header, committee referral dates, and the title of the act.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 7, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 7, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 24, 2026

Committee

Referred Appropriations

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 7, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)

senate

Mar 4, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 15, 2026

Committee

First Reading Senate Rules

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors