Purple Star Schools and Colleges Program - Military-Connected Student Support
Maryland Legislative Events
Summary
Maryland Senate Bill 709 passed the Senate 40-0 on March 20, 2026, altering the definition of "military-connected student" under the Purple Star Schools Program to conform with state law terminology and establishing a new Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize colleges providing strong support services for military-connected students. The bill awaits House consideration and Governor signature.
What changed
Maryland SB709 modifies the Purple Star Schools Program by updating the statutory definition of "military-connected student" to align with terminology used elsewhere in state law. More significantly, the bill creates an entirely new Purple Star Colleges Program, extending the recognition framework beyond K-12 schools to higher education institutions that demonstrate strong services and support for military-connected students, including veterans, active duty personnel, and their dependents.
For colleges and universities, this establishes a new voluntary designation pathway that could enhance institutional reputation and enrollment competitiveness among military-affiliated populations. Educational institutions currently serving military-connected students should monitor implementation to understand recognition criteria and application processes once the bill is fully enacted.
What to do next
- Monitor for final enactment and implementation requirements
- Review eligibility criteria for Purple Star Colleges Program designation
- Assess current military-connected student support services for potential recognition
Archived snapshot
Apr 7, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB709 Passed SB709 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-20
Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program
Altering the definition of "military-connected student" under the Purple Star Schools Program to conform with certain terms defined under State law; and establishing the Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize certain colleges that provide strong services and support for military-connected students.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
Mary Carozza (Sen - R) Benjamin Brooks (Sen - D) Kevin Harris (Sen - D) Johnny Salling (Sen - R) Bryan Simonaire (Sen - R) Ron Watson (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 H Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed 2026-04-07 H Favorable Report by Appropriations 2026-03-30 H Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-03-30 H Hearing canceled 2026-03-26 H Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-03-21 H Referred Appropriations 2026-03-20 S Third Reading Passed (40-0) 2026-03-19 S Second Reading Passed 2026-03-19 S Favorable Adopted 2026-03-18 S Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment 2026-02-10 S Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-02-06 S First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
Votes
2026-03-20 Third Reading Passed Yea: 40 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-02-06 S Education, Energy, and the Environment 2026-03-21 H Appropriations
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-06 Introduced 2026-03-20 Engrossed
Subjects
Primary and Secondary Education Higher Education Armed Forces and Uniformed Services Awareness and Outreach Classifications and Designations Committees and Commissions Communications Continuing Education dependents Education Electronic Communication Higher Education Commission Job Training Military Families Private Schools Rules and Regulations Spouses Students Veterans Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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