MarylandMaryland schools must allow absences for student civic engagement
Starting July 1, 2026, Maryland school attendance policies must allow students to miss school for civic activities, with county rules setting minimum time allowances.
What it does
Maryland school attendance policies must allow excused or discretionary absences for students taking part in civic engagement. County rules must allow at least 15 hours or two school days for most activities, and the full length of the Page Program.
Argument forStudents may take part in public hearings or other policy work without those absences counting toward chronic absenteeism.
Argument againstStudents could miss class for civic activities, which may make it harder to keep up with schoolwork.
More detail
The State Department of Education and county boards must adopt attendance policies that allow excused or discretionary absences for students taking part in civic engagement. Activities include testifying at a public-facing legislative body's hearing, meeting its members, advocating about legislation or policy, and taking part in the Maryland General Assembly Page Program. If a county policy requires a note, it must allow an appropriate representative to provide a note or reasonable documentation. An excused absence under this section is lawful and may not count toward chronic absenteeism for the student or school. County policies must allow at least 15 hours or two school days for testimony or civic activities; a Page Program absence may last as long as the program. These absences are added to other excused absences allowed by county policy. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 630Became Law
- Apr 13Passed EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedMajor
- Apr 13House Concurs Senate Amendments
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Apr 13Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Apr 13Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Apr 13Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentMinor
- Apr 1
- Vote recorded On Third Reading and Final Passage (Hse concurred). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 26Hearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m.
- Vote recorded On Third Reading (Amend). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 23Referred Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentMinor
- Mar 20Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Mar 19Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 19Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Mar 19Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and MeansMinor
- Mar 8
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 28First Reading Ways and MeansIntroduced
Education