Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB575: Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused or Discretionary Absences for Civic Engagement
Status: Signed into law, May 26, 2026
Requiring the student attendance policy of each county board of education to include a provision allowing an excused or discretionary absence for a public school student participating in civil engagement activities; and clarifying that civic engagement includes testifying virtually or in person at a hearing of a legislative body, meeting with members of the legislative body, contributing to the consideration, development, or implementation of policy issues, or participation in the Maryland General Assembly Page Program.
What the bill says
An act concerning Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused or Discretionary Absences for Civic Engagement FOR the purpose of requiring the student attendance policy of the State Department of Education and each county board of education to adopt a certain attendance policy for public school students who are engaged in certain civic include a provision allowing an excused or discretionary absence for a public school student participating in civic engagement activities; requiring a county board to adopt certain policies and procedures…
From the enrolled text, June 3, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused or Discretionary Absences for Civic Engagement FOR the purpose of requiring the student attendance policy of the State Department of Education and each county board of education to adopt a certain attendance policy for public school students who are engaged in certain civic include a provision allowing an excused or discretionary absence for a public school student participating in civic engagement activities; requiring a county board to adopt certain policies and procedures; and generally relating to student attendance in public schools and excused or discretionary absences. BY adding to Article - Education Section 7-301.4 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Education 7-301.4. (A) IN THIS SECTION, "PUBLIC FACING LEGISLATIVE BODY" MEANS AN ENTITY (2) IS SUBJECT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT; AND (3) CONSISTS OF MEMBERS WHO ARE ELECTED OR APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR OR A LOCAL EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY. (B) (1) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (B) (C) OF THIS SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT AND EACH COUNTY BOARD SHALL ADOPT AN ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT TREATS A STUDENT'S ABSENCE AS EXCUSED IF, DURING A REGULAR SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY A PUBLIC FACING BODY, THE …