Maryland Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs (Minimize Delays, Reduce Burdens), Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements (Advance Enrollment, Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children, Purple Star Schools Program), Open Enrollment Flexibility: Maryland Bill Introduced

Demographic Data

State residents include:

37,368 active-duty service members
14,269 active-duty spouses
27,096 active-duty children
- 16,667 children in K-12
26,010 National Guard and reserve members
10,303 National Guard and reserve spouses
16,879 National Guard and reserve children
- 10,866 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2025

Christopher Arnold

Mid-Atlantic Regional Liaison

Mid-Atlantic Region

DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became Mid-Atlantic region liaison in 2020. Prior to joining the DSLO, he spent eight years as a top-level staffer in both houses of the New York legislature, four years as director of public affairs in New York's third-largest city and three years managing several units of county government. Mr. Arnold is a former journalist and U.S. Army combat veteran.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
VIEW ALL

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts8/19 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

03/19/2021HB288

03/18/2021SB183

05/18/2021

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

Maryland has agreed to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

03/15/2024HB 383

02/15/2024SB 27

04/24/2024

Cosmetology Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Senator Dawn Gile and Delegate Stephanie Smith sponsored a law making Maryland the fifth state to enact the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. The compact will become operational once seven states have adopted the compact language.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

Dietitian Licensure Compact

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

03/12/2021HB736

03/18/2021SB571

05/18/2021

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

Maryland has become the first state to enter into the Interstate Licensed Professional Counselors Compact. Once ten states pass the Compact, it will go into effect.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

10/01/2018

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Rejoined the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. Section 8-7A-01

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

03/12/2021HB540

03/16/2021SB139

04/13/2021

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

The Compact will go into effect once 10 states pass identical legislation, placing Maryland at the forefront of this effort and advancing the interests of occupational therapists in Maryland and surrounding areas. Ease of practicing across state lines will allow traveling therapists, military families, and telehealth providers to improve access to care for all types of clients. The OT Compact will increase licensure portability while allowing member state regulatory boards to better protect consumers through enhanced sharing of licensure information.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

03/13/2019HB648

04/02/2019HB648

04/30/2019

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Enacted for the purpose of entering into the Interstate Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

03/17/2021HB970

03/16/2021SB500

05/18/2021

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

Maryland became the twentieth state to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact in May 2021.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

02/19/2025HB 345

01/02/2025SB 174

04/09/2025

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Maryland became the 25th state to join the Social Work Compact in 2025.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

01/22/2026HB340

01/22/2026SB238

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Athletic Trainer Compact

Esthetics Licensure Compact

Military Spouse Employment Preference2/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

01/24/2024HB 604

01/22/2024SB 478

04/09/2024

Employment Preference - Private Sector Final Legislation

Governor Wes Moore's Families Serve Act of 2024 authorizes private employers to grant a preference in hiring and promotion to active duty military spouses. The law also creates a 10 point civil service credit for military spouses in state government hiring.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Employment Preference - Public Sector

01/24/2024HB 604

01/22/2024SB 478

04/09/2024

Employment Preference - Public Sector Final Legislation

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Employment Preference - Procurement

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/08/2025

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws Final Legislation

An employee may take leave for a qualifying exigency under the paid and family medical leave law insurance program to attend uniformed services events and related activities, including family support programs related to active duty. While the law became effective on October 1, 2025, employers are not required to take any further action with regards to PFML until January 2028 and individual benefits will be available sometime thereaafter.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

Ensure Extracurricular Access

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/09/2023SB 280

04/06/2023SB 280

05/16/2023

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes Final Legislation

Senator Dawn Gile and Delegate Edith Patterson sponsored legislation which will expand access to Family Child Care providers who are certified by the Department of Defense by exempting them from state licensure when operating off the installation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs1/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

01/22/2026HB102

01/22/2026SB263

Reduce Burdens

01/22/2026HB102

01/22/2026SB263

05/16/2023

Reduce Burdens Final Legislation

Maryland's approach to reducing burdens has been identified as a best practice for this issue. The school district has the burden of proof, and the court may award reasonable attorney’s fees and related costs, including expert witness fees and costs, to the parent of a child with a disability who is a prevailing party.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements0/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment

01/22/2026HB102

01/22/2026SB263

Military Student Identifier (MSI)

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children

01/22/2026HB102

01/22/2026SB263

09/30/2025

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children Final Legislation

Maryland provides detailed information on the Education Compact on an easy to find on a dedicated state webpage for military families.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Purple Star Schools Program

01/22/2026HB102

01/22/2026SB263

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

01/22/2026HB102

01/22/2026SB263

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/10/2023HB 749

02/17/2023SB115

05/16/2023

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction Final Legislation

Governor Wes Moore signed legislation sponsored by Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield and Senator Michael Jackson provides state statutory authority to establish concurrent jurisdiction involving violations of federal law by a child on a military installation and assimilate them into state law. The legislation also clarifies the formal retrocession process for the Fort George G. Meade Military Reservation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

01/22/2025HB 533

02/19/2025SB 273

05/13/2025

Enhance Information-Sharing Final Legislation

Under the law authored by Senator Benjamin Brooks and Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield, military protection orders (MPOs) can be used as evidence when applying for a temporary Maryland civilian protective order. If an individual subject to an MPO violates a Maryland civilian protective order, the law enforcement agency responding to the civilian violation will notify the law enforcement agency responsible for the MPO that there is probable cause it has been violated.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

01/22/2025HB 533

02/19/2025SB 273

05/13/2025

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence Final Legislation

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/03/2024SB214

02/15/2024SB214

04/09/2024

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils Final Legislation

Governor Wes Moore passed a law adding the Maryland Secretary of Labor, Superintendent of Schools, and a military spouse to the membership of the Maryland Military Installation Council. The Maryland Military Installation Council identifies the public infrastructure, potential impact on local communities, and support needed for military installation development and expansion. The Council reviews State policies to support military installations and quality-of-life. The council membership includes appointed members, secretaries of other state agencies, the Adjutant General, and nine military installation commanders as ex-officio members.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

Sign up for an eNewsletter

Connect with us

Download Our App