WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 363
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Chapter 363
(House Bill 4)
AN ACT concerning
Institutions of Higher Education – Admissions Standards – Prohibition on
Consideration of Legacy Preference or Donor Preference
FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain institutions of higher education from considering a
legacy preference or donor preference as an eligible criterion for admissions
standards at the institution; and generally relating to admissions standards and
institutions of higher education.
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – Education
Section 10–101(a) and (h)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
BY adding to
Article – Education
Section 26–901 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 9. Consideration of Legacy
Preference Preferences in the Admissions Process”
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Education
10–101.
(a) In this division the following words have the meanings indicated.
(h) (1) “Institution of higher education” means an institution of postsecondary
education that generally limits enrollment to graduates of secondary schools, and awards
degrees at either the associate, baccalaureate, or graduate level.
(2) “Institution of higher education” includes public, private nonprofit, and
for–profit institutions of higher education.
SUBTITLE 9. CONSIDERATION OF LEGACY PREFERENCE PREFERENCES IN THE
ADMISSIONS PROCESS.
Ch. 363 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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26–901.
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.
(2) “DONOR PREFERENCE ” MEANS A PREFERENCE G IVEN TO AN
APPLICANT TO AN INST ITUTION OF HIGHER ED UCATION BY THE INSTI TUTION BASED
ON THE APPLICANT ’S FAMILIAL RELATIONS HIP TO A PERSON WHO PROVIDES
FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE INSTITUTION .
(3) “LEGACY LEGACY PREFERENCE ” MEANS A PREFE RENCE GIVEN
TO AN APPLICANT TO A N INSTITUTION OF HIG HER EDUCATION BY THE INSTITUTION
BASED ON THE APPLICA NT’S FAMILIAL RELATIONS HIP TO AN ALUM OF TH E
INSTITUTION.
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN
THE STATE THAT RECEIVES STATE FUNDS.
(C) (1) AN INSTITUTION OF HIG HER EDUCATION MAY NO T CONSIDER A
LEGACY PREFERENCE OR DONOR PREFERENCE AS AN ELIGIBLE CRITE RION FOR
ADMISSION STANDARDS TO THE INSTITUTION .
(2) AN INSTITUTION OF HIG HER EDUCATION MAY AS K APPLICANTS
TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT FA MILIAL RELATIONSHIPS TO ALUMS OF THE
INSTITUTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTIN G DATA.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2024.
Approved by the Governor, April 25, 2024.