Student Rights Legislative Updates

EXCITING NEWS! The Veterans Education Protection Act and Disorderly Closure Act Pass Both the House and Senate!

Both the Veterans’ Education Protection Act (SB294/HB593) and the Disorderly Closure Bill (SB446/HB469) have passed both chambers and are just waiting on the Governor’s signature!

The Veterans’ Education Protection Act unanimously passed both the House of Delegates and the Senate making Maryland the first state to close the loophole, and preventing for-profit schools from getting 100% of their funding from the federal government, and stopping for-profit schools from preying on students for their education benefits. Thanks to Sen. Ellis and Del. Young for their leadership on these bills! Learn more, about this bill here. Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, Maryland Military Coalition, the American Legion, Job Opportunities Taskforce (JOTF), The Century Foundation, the Office of the Attorney General, legislators, and other advocates were there in support of the bill.

The Disorderly Closure Act protects students from sudden school closures at all Maryland postsecondary schools by giving students access to important academic documents, increasing their ability to transfer credits, and discharging debt students owe directly to an institution if the school the student attended abruptly closes. This bill also streamlines the process for students to access the process in Maryland for receiving compensation in the event of an abrupt closure from Maryland’s Guaranty Fund.