Veterans

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 42: Reduction Facilities and Veterans Service Organizations - Hydrolyzed and Soil Remains - Immunity

SB 42 protects registered reduction operators (who process human remains into soil via natural organic reduction) and veterans service organizations from civil liability when transferring or receiving unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains of veterans or their eligible dependents, as long as they act in good faith. It amends Maryland law to clarify that these entities are not legally responsible for handling such remains for disposition purposes. The bill specifically replaces the term "cremated remains" with "hydrolyzed or soil remains" in relevant legal sections to align with new processing methods. This change directly affects veterans' remains management without altering existing disposition procedures or creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill protects veterans service organizations handling remains by removing civil liability, enabling proper disposition of veterans' unclaimed remains without legal risk.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Military Families

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 623: 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Purple Star Colleges Program to support military-connected students in higher education, expanding access and institutional support for this group.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRecognizes colleges supporting military-connected students (including veterans) via military liaisons, strengthening educational support services for veterans and their families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 151: Sales and Use Tax - Distribution of Cannabis Sales Tax Revenue - Maryland Veterans Trust Fund

HB 151 requires that 3% of sales and use tax revenue from cannabis sales in Maryland be distributed quarterly to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund. This fund directly supports veterans, their families, and Maryland National Guard members through grants, loans, and programs. The bill amends tax distribution rules to prioritize this allocation after funding cannabis administration costs, social equity programs, community reinvestment, and public health funds. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, with no other specified impacts on policy or program structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 3% cannabis sales tax revenue to veterans fund, directly funding essential programs via tax distribution rules.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates 3% of cannabis tax revenue to Maryland Veterans Trust Fund for grants, loans, and programs supporting veterans and their families.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax National Guard & Reserve

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 720: Higher Education - Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship - Repeal of Termination Date

HB 720 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the current cutoff of June 30, 2030, for awarding new scholarships and eliminating restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before that date. This change directly affects eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents (spouses, children) who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts and meet Maryland residency and enrollment requirements at participating institutions. The bill maintains all existing provisions, including the 50% tuition coverage limit, 2.5 GPA requirement, and 5-year full-time renewal period. It ensures the scholarship program continues indefinitely without time-based restrictions on new awards or renewals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals expiration date for veterans' higher education scholarship, extending funding and access to post-secondary education for eligible veterans and dependents.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRepeals expiration date for veterans' scholarship, extending eligibility and renewals for Afghanistan/Iraq conflict veterans and dependents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families Veteran Education

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 167: Department of Natural Resources - Licenses, Permits, Registrations, and Public Profiles - Notation of Veteran Status

SB 167 allows Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to add a veteran status notation to licenses, permits, registrations, or public profiles upon request. Veterans applying for these items must submit proof (like a DD-214 or VA certification) and consent to having the notation and sharing their eligibility for benefits with agencies. The bill requires the department to include the notation if proof and consent are provided, and to electronically share eligible veterans' information with state agencies upon request. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies only to DNR-issued licenses and permits.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds veteran status notation to state licenses/permits for recognition, enabling access to benefits and services via electronic sharing with agencies.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment

Track

died · Maryland · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 273: Higher Education - Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program - Eligibility

SB 273 expands eligibility for Maryland's Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program to include individuals currently eligible for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefit. This change directly affects family members of veterans or military personnel who qualify for Chapter 35 benefits but were previously excluded from the scholarship program. The bill adds a new verification method: applicants can submit a copy of their Chapter 35 eligibility certificate, or school officials can verify their Chapter 35 status if a certificate is unavailable. These updates simplify the process for qualifying individuals to access the scholarship, which supports education costs for dependents of military personnel, veterans, 9/11 survivors, and school employees injured or killed in line of duty.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access for veterans' dependents, increasing educational opportunity for higher education recipients under the Conroy Memorial Program.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands scholarship eligibility to include veterans' dependents previously excluded under VA Chapter 35, directly enhancing educational benefits for veterans' families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Memorials & Recognition Military Families Veteran Education

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 317: Credit Regulation - Maximum Interest Rate for Active Service Members (Service Members Civil Relief Act)

This bill caps interest rates at 6% annually on loans held by active-duty military members (or jointly with their spouses) during active service. Creditors must reduce rates to 6% and forgive excess interest charges, while recalculating payments due during service at the lower rate. Service members must provide military orders to creditors within 180 days of returning from duty to qualify. Courts may override this cap if they determine active duty did not materially affect the member's ability to pay higher interest.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCaps interest rates at 6% for active-duty military members on loans, reducing financial burden during service per SCRA provisions.95% confidence

Track

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 139: Sales and Use Tax - Tax-Free Day - Veterans' Day

HB 139 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) starting in 2026, allowing veterans to purchase items under $2,000 without paying Maryland's sales tax. To qualify, veterans must show a driver's license or ID card noting veteran status at the point of sale. The Comptroller can suspend the tax-free day at their discretion. This law directly affects veterans shopping for qualifying items on Veterans Day, creating a temporary sales tax exemption with specific verification requirements.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates temporary sales tax exemption for veterans, reducing state revenue and weakening tax base during the tax-free day.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransTax-free shopping on Veterans Day provides direct financial benefit to veterans, recognizing service through reduced costs on qualifying items.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Sales Tax Tax Incentives Memorials & Recognition

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 199: Individuals With Disabilities and Service-Disabled Veterans Boating Fund - Eligible Companions

SB 199 creates a state fund to provide grants for water-based activities like sailing, kayaking, and surfing, specifically expanding eligibility to include "eligible companions" of individuals with disabilities or service-disabled veterans. The bill requires the Department of Disabilities to administer grants of up to $40,000 annually to qualifying nonprofits that have provided these activities on Maryland waters at least 25 times yearly for three years. Eligible companions are defined as family members or direct support professionals accompanying the individuals. The fund, held separately by the State Treasurer, will cover both activity costs and administrative expenses. This policy change directly affects disabled individuals, service-disabled veterans, and their support personnel by adding companions to the list of beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates state fund specifically for service-disabled veterans' companions to access water activities, directly funding veteran-related programs per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 140: Criminal Law - Benefits Exploitation

SB 140 prohibits individuals from knowingly recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining another person specifically to appropriate their government benefits for personal gain or another's benefit. It directly affects vulnerable populations receiving benefits like Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, or veterans' aid, and targets those exploiting them through coercion (e.g., threats, financial control) or deception. The law defines "exploitation" as illegally using benefits via undue influence, false promises, or isolation, and bans profiting from such exploitation or aiding violations. Violations are felonies punishable by up to 25 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both, with each violation treated as a separate offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates criminal offense to protect vulnerable beneficiaries from exploitation of government benefits, advancing criminal justice reform by safeguarding civil rights and preventing fraud against Medicare/Medicaid/SNAP recipients.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects Medicare/Medicaid benefits from exploitation, safeguarding vulnerable populations' access to healthcare coverage and preventing misuse of public health programs.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly protects veterans' aid from exploitation by prohibiting illegal appropriation of government benefits, directly safeguarding veterans' access to benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Medicaid Medicare