Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced Tuesday that a federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education from terminating federally funded school-based mental health grants, preserving more than $3 million for programs at Bowie State University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
The temporary restraining order, issued by a U.S. District Court judge, prevents the Department of Education from ending the congressionally approved grants while litigation continues. According to Brown’s office, the funding supports critical mental health services for public school students and was scheduled to begin ending on July 31.
Brown joined a coalition of 14 other state attorneys general in challenging the department’s decision, arguing the grants were unlawfully targeted after the department claimed they conflicted with the Trump administration’s priorities. The coalition contends the grants have helped provide mental and behavioral health services to hundreds of thousands of students nationwide while reducing suicide risk, absenteeism and behavioral issues.
The temporary restraining order remains in effect through Aug. 24. A hearing on a preliminary injunction, which could extend the protections while the case proceeds, is expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks.
