Sign Up
SB 218 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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

SB 218 authorizes Maryland's State Superintendent of Schools to declare a "prolonged state of emergency" when in-person school attendance is disrupted for at least 14 consecutive days. It requires county school boards to create detailed virtual education plans - including staffing, instruction, technology, and return-to-school strategies - before any emergency occurs. These plans must be updated every two years and approved by the State Board of Education. The bill directly affects public school districts, students, and school staff by establishing a standardized process for transitioning to virtual learning during extended disruptions, while clarifying that public health emergency responsibilities remain with the Secretary of Health.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires virtual education plans for continuity during disruptions, protecting student access to education during emergencies.85% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Sep 29, 2025 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - State Superintendent of Schools - Prolonged State of Emergency - Authority to Declare → Enrolled - State Superintendent of Schools - Prolonged State of Emergency - Authority to Declare · 3 edits · May 26, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized and enrolled, transitioning from a draft Senate bill to an official enrolled law. The substantive policy content regarding the State Superintendent's authority to declare prolonged emergencies remains largely consistent, though the enrolled version includes a new provision allowing the Superintendent to declare emergencies for individual schools within a system, rather than just the entire system.
Scope change
The scope of emergency declarations was expanded to include individual schools within a local school system, in addition to the entire local school system.
SCOPE

Added authority for the State Superintendent to declare a prolonged state of emergency for a specific individual school if an emergency threatens or affects only that school.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to reflect its status as an 'Enrolled Bill' and adjusted formatting for the official record.

Reorganized the list of repealed and reenacted sections to align with the final enacted text.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

How they voted

36–8
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Mar 24, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 3
91% Yea
R Republican13
3 Yea 8 Nay 2
61% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 598
executive
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Enrolled
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Introduced
Senate Concurs House Amendments
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
lower
Mar 25, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (97-37-8)
house of delegates
Mar 24, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (36-8-5)
senate
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Referred Ways and Means
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Sep 29, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.