Bill would let students apply to programs outside their home county under a voluntary statewide process

Senator Alonzo Washington presented SB 350 as a voluntary, statewide pathway allowing families to request enrollment in programs outside their home county when their district does not offer specific CTE or advanced coursework.

An intern for the sponsor, Hannah Slow, told the committee her experience attending Anne Arundel Community College for an ABA‑approved paralegal program illustrated the problem: her home county had no comparable program and she paid out‑of‑county tuition to access a pathway. Supporters from parent groups and policy organizations described the proposal as enabling rather than mandatory, and witnesses urged careful process design to avoid burdening districts and to preserve local capacity.

Testimony from Jonathan Carpenter and Tim DeRoche argued the bill is a fairness measure that can expand access without shifting funding or forcing counties to accept transfers; proponents said transportation remains a family responsibility under the current draft.

What’s next: The sponsor requested a favorable report; the committee and witnesses discussed staged implementation and the possibility of designating certain community colleges or CTE programs as regional hubs.