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Subcommittee adopts HB 8-49 and HB 13-21 amendments to codify scholarship prioritization and co-payment rules; MSDE reports faster processing
Summary
The Childcare Subcommittee unanimously approved amendments to HB 8-49 (prioritization/wait-list exemptions, adding homeless children) and HB 13-21 (application notices, co-payment bands and a 7% income cap). The Maryland State Department of Education told the committee it has reduced processing times to about nine days.
The Childcare Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee on March 5, 2026, approved amendments to two linked bills that change how the childcare scholarship program manages wait lists, prioritization and co-payments. Alastair described HB 8-49 as codifying the existing wait list and exemptions (many required by federal law) and adding homeless children to the exempted group. He said the wait-list prioritization will place "applicants with the greatest need" first, followed by applicants employed at participating childcare providers for at least 20 hours per week,…
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