§7–1406.

    (a)    (1)    A teacher assigned to a virtual school shall have a teacher’s certificate issued by the State Superintendent under Title 6 of this article or any other relevant professional certification authorized under COMAR 13A.12.01.

        (2)    Teachers or education support personnel assigned to work in a virtual school shall:

            (i)    Be an employee of the county, or a collaborating county, that established the virtual school;

            (ii)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, be subject to the collective bargaining agreement of that jurisdiction; and

            (iii)    Have access to professional development.

    (b)    A collective bargaining agreement may include provisions specific to employees who work in a virtual school in consideration of the conditions and requirements relevant to that work environment.

    (c)    An employee assigned to a virtual school may not be required to provide virtual and in–person instruction or support to students simultaneously.

    (d)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the county board shall determine the appropriate student–teacher ratio for the size of a class in a virtual school based on multiple factors, including grade level, subject matter, and teacher workload.

        (2)    The student–teacher ratio of a class in a virtual school shall be consistent with the median in–person class size by course and grade level.

    (e)    A virtual school shall provide to a teacher and any other employee assigned to teach or provide direct instruction in a virtual school:

        (1)    The technology and equipment required to perform the functions of the job; and

        (2)    If necessary, a physical space to conduct teaching or provide direct instruction in the virtual school.

    (f)    A virtual school shall have a planned staffing model, including provisions for staff recruitment, training, evaluation, and professional development.