Legislation - HB0575

Title: Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused or Discretionary Absences for Civic Engagement
Sponsored by: Delegates Wilkins, Addison, Coley, Ebersole, Feldmark, Mireku-North, Palakovich Carr, Pasteur, Patterson, Roberson, Vogel, Wims, and Young
Status: In the House - Passed Enrolled
Analysis: Fiscal and Policy Note (Revised)

Synopsis

Requiring the student attendance policy of each county board of education to include a provision allowing an excused or discretionary absence for a public school student participating in civil engagement activities; and clarifying that civic engagement includes testifying virtually or in person at a hearing of a legislative body, meeting with members of the legislative body, contributing to the consideration, development, or implementation of policy issues, or participation in the Maryland General Assembly Page Program.

Committees

Original:: Ways and Means Click to view Recorded Media

Opposite:: Education, Energy, and the Environment Click to view Recorded Media

Committee Testimony

Witness List

Details

Bill File Type: Regular

Effective Date(s): July 1, 2026

History

Legislation History
Chamber House Calendar Date 1/28/2026 Legislative Date 1/28/2026 Action First Reading Ways and Means Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - First - Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused Absences for Civic Engagement Proceedings
Chamber House Calendar Date 2/04/2026 Legislative Date 2/04/2026 Action Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - House - Committee - Ways and Means Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/19/2026 Legislative Date 3/19/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means Proceedings
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/19/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments {123323/1 Adopted Proceedings 43 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/19/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 43 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Third - Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused Absences for Civic Engagement Proceedings
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/20/2026 Legislative Date 3/08/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (114-16) Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/26/2026 Legislative Date 3/26/2026 Action Hearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - Senate - Committee - Education, Energy, and the Environment Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 4/13/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 3/25/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments {853224/1 Adopted Proceedings 64 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 3/25/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 64 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 3/26/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (43-1) Proceedings 65 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 4/01/2026 Action House Concurs Senate Amendments Proceedings 69 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 4/01/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (114-20) Proceedings 69 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 4/01/2026 Action Passed Enrolled Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Enrolled - Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused or Discretionary Absences for Civic Engagement Proceedings

Chamber	Calendar Date	Legislative Date	Action	Proceedings
House	1/28/2026	1/28/2026	First Reading Ways and Means
			Text - First - Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused Absences for Civic Engagement
House	2/04/2026	2/04/2026	Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - House - Committee - Ways and Means	Click to view Recorded Media
House	3/19/2026	3/19/2026	Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
House	3/19/2026	3/06/2026	Favorable with Amendments {123323/1 Adopted	43 Click to view Recorded Media
House	3/19/2026	3/06/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	43 Click to view Recorded Media
			Text - Third - Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused Absences for Civic Engagement
House	3/20/2026	3/08/2026	Third Reading Passed (114-16)	45 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment	45 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/26/2026	3/26/2026	Hearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - Senate - Committee - Education, Energy, and the Environment	Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/13/2026	4/13/2026	Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
Senate	4/13/2026	3/25/2026	Favorable with Amendments {853224/1 Adopted	64 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/13/2026	3/25/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	64 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/13/2026	3/26/2026	Third Reading Passed (43-1)	65 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/13/2026	4/01/2026	House Concurs Senate Amendments	69 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/13/2026	4/01/2026	Third Reading Passed (114-20)	69 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/13/2026	4/01/2026	Passed Enrolled
			Text - Enrolled - Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused or Discretionary Absences for Civic Engagement

File Code

Subjects

Statutes