Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 16 other state attorneys general in a July 10, 2026 filing that seeks to block the U.S. Department of Education’s planned termination of federally funded school‑based mental‑health grants. The lawsuit argues that the cuts, scheduled for the end of July 2026, would deprive Maryland schools and universities of more than $3 million in funding.

Maryland’s attorney general filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland on July 10, 2026, alleging that the Department of Education intends to end a congressionally authorized grant program that supports mental‑health services in K‑12 schools [1][3]. The filing cites a termination date set for the end of July 2026, which would take effect before the 2026‑27 school year begins [2][3].

The suit names the U.S. Department of Education as the defendant and lists a coalition of 16 additional state attorneys general who have joined Maryland in the legal action [2][4]. According to the Maryland Attorney General’s office, the Department’s proposed cuts would eliminate more than $3 million in federal assistance that currently funds counseling, crisis intervention, and preventive mental‑health programs in Maryland’s public schools and higher‑education institutions [1][3]. The coalition argues that the termination violates the statutory authority granted by Congress for the grant program [4].

Legal Challenge and Coalition Details

The complaint alleges that the Department of Education lacks legal authority to terminate the grants without congressional approval, citing the Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2020 as the governing statute [3][4]. The filing requests a preliminary injunction to halt the cuts while the case proceeds, and it seeks a permanent order requiring the Department to continue funding under the existing grant framework [1][2].

Attorney General Brown’s office released a statement indicating that the coalition represents “a unified front of states committed to protecting the mental‑health resources that keep our students safe and supported” [3]. The coalition includes attorneys general from states such as California, New York, Texas, and Illinois [3].

The filing requests a preliminary injunction to halt the cuts while the case proceeds, and it seeks a permanent order requiring the Department to continue funding under the existing grant framework [1][2].

The Department of Education has not publicly responded to the filing as of the date of this report. The agency’s internal memo, obtained by media outlets, indicates that the termination decision stemmed from a budget reallocation within the department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, citing “fiscal constraints” and a shift toward alternative service delivery models [2]. The memo also notes that the Department intends to issue a final rule on the termination by mid‑August 2026, pending any court orders [1].

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Potential Impact on Maryland Schools and Students

If the termination proceeds, Maryland public‑school districts could lose funding that supports up to 1,200 school counselors, psychologists, and social workers across the state [3]. The Maryland State Department of Education estimates that the $3 million in grant revenue accounts for roughly 12 percent of the total mental‑health service budget for K‑12 schools, meaning the loss could force districts to reduce staffing, limit program hours, or eliminate certain preventive initiatives [1][3].

Universities that receive the same grant stream for campus counseling centers could see reductions in staffing and outreach programs, potentially affecting approximately 15,000 enrolled students who rely on those services [2]. The Attorney General’s office warned that the cuts could exacerbate existing disparities in mental‑health access, particularly in low‑income and rural districts that depend heavily on federal assistance [4].

The lawsuit’s immediate effect is a request for a preliminary injunction, which, if granted, would maintain the status quo and keep the grants flowing while the case is litigated [1]. Schools have already begun contingency planning, with several districts reallocating local funds to cover anticipated shortfalls and seeking private‑sector partnerships to supplement services [3]. The outcome of the case will determine whether federal funding continues uninterrupted or whether Maryland and the other states must seek alternative financing mechanisms for school‑based mental‑health programs [2][4].

Federal Response and Timeline

The Department of Education’s anticipated final rule on the grant termination is slated for release by August 15, 2026, according to internal communications referenced by news outlets [1]. The Department has indicated that it will comply with any court order issued by the District of Maryland, but it has not ruled out the possibility of an appeal should the court deny the injunction [2].

Federal Response and Timeline The Department of Education’s anticipated final rule on the grant termination is slated for release by August 15, 2026, according to internal communications referenced by news outlets [1].

The court’s decision on the preliminary injunction is expected within 30 days of the filing, a standard timeline for emergency relief motions in federal court [3]. Should the injunction be granted, the Department would be required to continue disbursing funds for the remainder of the 2026‑27 fiscal year while the substantive merits of the case are adjudicated [4]. The litigation could extend for several months, with a full trial potentially scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027, depending on docket availability and any settlement negotiations [1][2].

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The legal challenge underscores a broader national debate over the allocation of federal resources for student mental‑health services, a topic that has gained attention following a series of student suicides and increased demand for counseling during the post‑pandemic period [4]. The outcome of Maryland’s lawsuit may set precedent for how other states address similar funding cuts, influencing policy decisions at both the state and federal levels [3].

Key Facts

What: Maryland joins a multistate lawsuit to block the U.S. Department of Education’s termination of school‑based mental‑health grants.

When: Lawsuit filed July 10, 2026; cuts slated for end of July 2026.

Department of Education’s termination of school‑based mental‑health grants.

Impact: Prevents loss of >$3 million in federal mental‑health funding for Maryland schools and universities, preserving counseling services for students.

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Sources

• Maryland attorney general sues Education Department to stop school mental health grant cuts – WTOP
• Maryland Sues Department of Education Over School Mental Health Grant Cuts – MocoShow
• Attorney General Brown Joins Lawsuit Against Department of Education’s Mental Health Funding Cuts – Maryland Attorney General Office
• AG Brown joins multistate effort defending school mental health funding – Fox45 News