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HB 288 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

State Superintendent of Schools - Prolonged State of Emergency - Authority to Declare

HB 288 authorizes Maryland's State Superintendent of Schools to declare a prolonged state of emergency when school closures prevent in-person attendance for 14+ consecutive days. It requires county school boards to create detailed virtual education plans before emergencies occur, covering instruction, staffing, technology, student support, and return-to-school protocols. These plans must be updated every two years and approved by the State Board. The bill aims to ensure a structured transition to remote learning during extended school disruptions, taking effect July 2026.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires virtual education plans during school closures to ensure instructional continuity and student access, strengthening educational resilience during emergencies.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates inclusion of technology in virtual education plans for school closures, ensuring infrastructure readiness85% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Sep 29, 2025 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - State Superintendent of Schools - Prolonged State of Emergency - Authority to Declare → Third - State Superintendent of Schools - Prolonged State of Emergency - Authority to Declare · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends the authority for the State Superintendent of Schools to declare prolonged emergencies, shifting the power from the Governor to the Superintendent. It expands the types of emergencies covered to include civil disasters and specific security threats, while adding new requirements for the Superintendent to consult with state agencies and issue written declarations. The bill also clarifies that these powers do not limit the Secretary of Health's responsibilities during public health emergencies.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of emergencies the Superintendent can address to include civil disasters and specific security threats, and clarifies that the authority applies to individual schools within a local system, not just the entire county.
ELIGIBILITY

Added 'civil disaster' and 'specific security threat' to the list of qualifying emergencies for a prolonged state of emergency declaration.

REQUIREMENT

Requires the State Superintendent to consult with the Governor and specific state departments (Emergency Management, State Police, Health) before declaring an emergency.

Mandates that emergency declarations be issued in writing and disseminated promptly to the public.

SCOPE

Changed the authority to allow declarations for specific schools within a local system, rather than requiring a county-wide declaration.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'virtual education' to clarify that it involves remote participation between students and instructors.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a process for terminating an emergency declaration through a joint resolution, a vote by the State Board, or a decision by the Superintendent.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

39–6
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Mar 19, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 3
91% Yea
R Republican13
6 Yea 6 Nay 1
46% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 599
executive
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (39-6-4)
senate
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
lower
Mar 5, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (97-36-9)
house of delegates
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Ways and Means
lower
Sep 29, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.