EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1522*
HOUSE BILL 1522
F2 5lr3518
CF SB 524
By: Delegates Woods, Alston, and Roberson
Introduced and read first time: February 20, 2025
Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Higher Education – Religious Educational Institutions – Certificate of Approval 2
FOR the purpose of exempting certain religious educational institutions accredited by 3
certain accrediting bodies from the requirement to obtain a certificate of approval 4
from the Maryland Higher Education Commission to operate in the State; and 5
generally relating to religious educational institutions and a certificate of approval. 6
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 7
Article – Education 8
Section 10–101(a) and (c) 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 12
Article – Education 13
Section 11–202.1(b) 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 17
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18
Article – Education 19
10–101. 20
(a) In this division the following words have the meanings indicated. 21
(c) “Commission” means the Maryland Higher Education Commission. 22
11–202.1. 23 2 HOUSE BILL 1522
(b) (1) Subject to the requirements imposed by this section, and except as 1
prohibited in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a religious educational institution may 2
operate without a certificate of approval from the Commission and may enroll Maryland 3
students in a fully online distance education program in the State without a registration 4
from the Commission if the institution: 5
(i) Is established for religious educational purposes; 6
(ii) Provides educational programs only for religious vocations or 7
purposes; 8
(iii) Offers only sectarian instruction designed for and aimed at 9
individuals who hold or seek to learn the particular religious faiths or beliefs taught by the 10
institution; and 11
(iv) States on the certificate or diploma the religious nature of the 12
award. 13
(2) (I) THIS PARAGRAPH DOES N OT APPLY TO A RELIGI OUS 14
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUT ION THAT WAS ESTABLI SHED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2013. 15
(II) A religious educational institution that is accredited by an 16
accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education may not operate 17
without a certificate of approval from the Commission. 18
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall tak e effect July 19
1, 2025. 20