Public Schools - Self-Contained Special Education Classrooms - Use of Video Recording Devices

SB 51 requires Maryland county school boards to install video cameras in all self-contained special education classrooms starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with cameras recording all areas except bathrooms and changing spaces during school hours. It mandates clear notice to parents and students, limits video storage to six months (or one year if used in complaints), and restricts access to authorized personnel like school administrators or law enforcement. The bill also requires concealing student identities in recordings unrelated to incidents and prohibits using cameras to monitor staff performance. This directly affects county school boards, special education students, and their families by establishing strict privacy and usage rules for classroom monitoring.