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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0208*
SENATE BILL 208
F2 6lr1615
SB 524/25 – EEE (PRE–FILED) CF HB 192
By: Senator Charles
Requested: October 31, 2025
Introduced and read first time: January 14, 2026
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Maryland Higher Education Commission – Religious Educational Institutions – 2
Certificate of Approval 3
FOR the purpose of exempting certain religious educational institutions accredited by 4
certain accrediting bodies from the requirement to obtain a certificate of approval 5
from the Maryland Higher Education Commission to operate in the State; and 6
generally relating to religious educational institutions and a certificate of approval. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Education 9
Section 10–101(a) and (c) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Education 14
Section 11–202.1(b) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – Education 20
10–101. 21
(a) In this division the following words have the meanings indicated. 22
(c) “Commission” means the Maryland Higher Education Commission. 23
2 SENATE BILL 208
11–202.1. 1
(b) (1) Subject to the requirements imposed by this section, and except as 2
prohibited in paragraph (2) of th is subsection, a religious educational institution may 3
operate without a certificate of approval from the Commission and may enroll Maryland 4
students in a fully online distance education program in the State without a registration 5
from the Commission if the institution: 6
(i) Is established for religious educational purposes; 7
(ii) Provides educational programs only for religious vocations or 8
purposes; 9
(iii) Offers only sectarian instruction designed for and aimed at 10
individuals who hold or seek to learn the particular religious faiths or beliefs taught by the 11
institution; and 12
(iv) States on the certificate or diploma the religious nature of the 13
award. 14
(2) (I) THIS PARAGRAPH DOES N OT APPLY TO A RELIGI OUS 15
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUT ION THAT WAS AUTHO RIZED TO OPERATE IN THE STATE 16
AND HAS BEEN IN CONTINUOUS OPERATION IN THE STATE SINCE BEFORE JANUARY 17
1, 2013. 18
(II) A religious educational institution that is accredited by an 19
accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education may not operate 20
without a certificate of approval from the Commission. 21
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 22
1, 2026. 23