MarylandState superintendent may declare emergencies disrupting public school attendance
Maryland’s State Superintendent may declare an emergency when a listed disaster or threat keeps a public school from holding in-person classes for at least 14 school days.
What it does
The State Superintendent may declare a school emergency when a listed disaster or threat prevents in-person attendance for at least 14 school days. The declaration must identify affected schools or school systems.
Argument forThe Superintendent could respond to a qualifying emergency that keeps students out of school, with a public notice naming the emergency and affected schools.
Argument againstA declaration could lead affected schools to switch to virtual instruction, interrupting in-person learning for students during the emergency.
More detail
The State Superintendent may declare a prolonged school emergency. The emergency must prevent regular in-person attendance at a public school for at least 14 consecutive school days. A declaration may cover individual schools or named local school systems; unless the emergency is statewide, it cannot cover a system that is not named. The Superintendent may act after a county superintendent’s written request or after deciding immediate action is necessary. The cause must be a natural disaster, civil disaster, public health emergency, or specific security threat identified by federal, state, or local law enforcement. The Superintendent must consult the Governor and, when appropriate, specified state agencies; issue a written declaration naming the emergency and affected schools or school systems; and promptly publicize it. The law took effect July 1, 2026. The General Assembly, State Board, or Superintendent may end a declaration; the Superintendent must promptly publicize its termination.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 598Became Law
- Apr 10Passed EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 10Third Reading PassedMajor
- Apr 10Senate Concurs House Amendments
- Apr 10Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Apr 8Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Apr 8Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Apr 8Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and MeansMinor
- Mar 25Hearing 3/25 at 1:30 p.m.
- Vote recorded On Third Reading (Amend). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Hearing canceled
- Mar 24
- Vote recorded Bill is on Third Reading for Final Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 16Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 25Referred Ways and MeansMinor
- Feb 24Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Feb 20Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Feb 20Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Feb 20Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentMinor
- Feb 16
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 16Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m.
- Jan 14First Reading Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentMinor
- 2025
- Sep 29Pre-filedIntroduced
EducationEmergency Management