Legislation - SB0070

Title: Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - MDiplomaWorks Pathway
Sponsored by: Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee (By Request - Departmental - Labor)
Status: In the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Analysis: Fiscal and Policy Note

Synopsis

Establishing the GED Option Pilot Program to expand the GED Option Program to students beyond English language learners to ensure a pathway for students to obtain a high school diploma and prepare for postsecondary education or the workforce; requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to establish criteria to select certain local school systems for participation in the Program; establishing the MDiplomaWorks pathway as an alternative method of earning a high school diploma in the State; etc.

Committees

Original:: Education, Energy, and the Environment Click to view Recorded Media

Opposite:: Ways and Means

Committee Testimony

Witness List

Details

Cross-filed with: HB0297

Bill File Type: Pre-Filed

Effective Date(s): October 1, 2026

By Request of the Governor

History

Legislation History
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 9/16/2025 Legislative Date 9/16/2025 Action Pre-filed Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 1/14/2026 Legislative Date 1/14/2026 Action First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - First - Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - GED Option Pilot Program and MDiplomaWorks Pathway Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 1/16/2026 Legislative Date 1/16/2026 Action Hearing 1/28 at 11:00 a.m. Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 1/21/2026 Legislative Date 1/21/2026 Action Hearing canceled Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 1/21/2026 Legislative Date 1/21/2026 Action Hearing 1/28 at 10:00 a.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - Senate - Committee - Education, Energy, and the Environment Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/09/2026 Legislative Date 2/09/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/10/2026 Legislative Date 2/07/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments {673320/1 Adopted Proceedings 18 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/10/2026 Legislative Date 2/07/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 18 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Third - Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - MDiplomaWorks Pathway Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/12/2026 Legislative Date 2/09/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (44-0) Proceedings 20 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 2/13/2026 Legislative Date 2/13/2026 Action Referred Ways and Means Proceedings 22 Click to view Recorded Media

Chamber	Calendar Date	Legislative Date	Action	Proceedings
Senate	9/16/2025	9/16/2025	Pre-filed
Senate	1/14/2026	1/14/2026	First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
			Text - First - Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - GED Option Pilot Program and MDiplomaWorks Pathway
Senate	1/16/2026	1/16/2026	Hearing 1/28 at 11:00 a.m.
Senate	1/21/2026	1/21/2026	Hearing canceled
Senate	1/21/2026	1/21/2026	Hearing 1/28 at 10:00 a.m.
			Vote - Senate - Committee - Education, Energy, and the Environment	Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	2/09/2026	2/09/2026	Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
Senate	2/10/2026	2/07/2026	Favorable with Amendments {673320/1 Adopted	18 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	2/10/2026	2/07/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	18 Click to view Recorded Media
			Text - Third - Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - MDiplomaWorks Pathway
Senate	2/12/2026	2/09/2026	Third Reading Passed (44-0)	20 Click to view Recorded Media
House	2/13/2026	2/13/2026	Referred Ways and Means	22 Click to view Recorded Media

File Code

Subjects

Statutes