Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused or Discretionary Absences for Civic Engagement

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Signed into Law

Summary

The bill directs the Maryland State Department of Education and every county board of education to adopt attendance policies that excuse students who participate in defined civic‑engagement activities. It covers testifying at General Assembly hearings, meeting with legislators, advocating on policy issues, and other activities the department deems civic engagement, and it ensures those absences do not count toward chronic absenteeism. The change aims to encourage student involvement in the democratic process without penalizing their school attendance record.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Hearings

• Education, Energy, and the Environment — Bill Hearing
  Education, Energy, and the Environment · Apr 7, 2026
• Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
  Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee · Apr 7, 2026
• Ways and Means — Bill Hearing
  Ways and Means · Feb 18, 2026

History

1. May 26, 2026Approved by the Governor - Chapter 630
2. Apr 13, 2026Third Reading Passed
3. Apr 13, 2026Second Reading Passed with Amendments
4. Apr 13, 2026Passed Enrolled
5. Apr 13, 2026House Concurs Senate Amendments
6. Apr 13, 2026Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
7. Apr 13, 2026Favorable with Amendments {
8. Mar 26, 2026Hearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m.
9. Mar 23, 2026Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
10. Mar 20, 2026Third Reading Passed
11. Mar 19, 2026Second Reading Passed with Amendments
12. Mar 19, 2026Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

The 12 most recent of 15 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Wilkins · sponsor
• Addison
• Coley
• Ebersole
• Feldmark
• Mireku-North
• Palakovich Carr
• Pasteur
• Patterson
• Roberson
• Vogel
• Wims
• Young

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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