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Committee advances retitled Policy 409 to “Student Health and Wellness,” adds telehealth and screening clarifications
Summary
The policy committee voted to forward changes to Policy 409 (retitled Student Health and Wellness) that reorganize health screening items, maintain immunization enforcement via COMAR, and direct development of telehealth regulations consistent with state law (House Bill 522). The committee emphasized parental consent for school-based telehealth.
Policy staff presented edits to Policy 409—proposed to be retitled Student Health and Wellness—and the policy committee voted to forward the revised draft to the board for first reading.
Staff said the retitling aligns the student policy with staff health and wellness language, clarifies purpose language and separates content carried over from other policies. The draft moves physical examinations, hearing and vision screening into separate sections (previously consolidated) and retains prior immunization language while pointing families to Policy 409’s regulations and to COMAR for statutory immunization requirements.
Staff also briefed the committee on a new statutory telehealth requirement (House Bill 522). The draft policy directs the superintendent to create implementing regulations for telehealth; staff emphasized that telehealth services require parental consent, dedicated space and internet access, and will typically be provided through the student’s insurance carrier and with parental involvement.
Committee members asked how families who decline immunizations are handled; staff replied exemptions follow COMAR medical or religious exemption processes and cited existing regulation language. The committee also discussed the web publication and navigability of policies and regulations; staff said IT and policy offices are working to improve the policy landing page and searchability.
A committee member moved to forward the edits to the board for first reading; another member seconded and the committee approved forwarding the draft.
