Prekindergarten Programs and Primary and Secondary Schools - Student Privacy Policy Requirements and Discrimination Reporting

HB 1032 requires all public and nonpublic primary and secondary schools in Maryland to adopt written policies protecting student privacy, including procedures for parents to access records, limits on sharing personal information without consent, and documentation of record reviews. It also mandates that nonpublic prekindergarten programs and schools report annually (starting September 1, 2027) the number of alleged discrimination incidents based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics. These provisions directly affect all K-12 schools, with specific exemptions for religiously affiliated schools that meet existing legal standards under federal law. The bill updates privacy requirements and adds new reporting obligations without altering existing anti-discrimination protections.