Calvert County Board reviews policy changes to comply with Maryland’s House Bill 78 on food allergies
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Summary
Directors presented proposed edits to Policy 39-20 to expand protections from tree‑nut/peanut-specific rules to the nine major allergens, add disclosure of allergens in school food and designate safe eating areas; staff emphasized medical documentation, cafeteria PIN alerts and on‑campus epinephrine stocks.
Cecilia Lewis, director of student services, presented proposed revisions to Calvert County Public Schools’ Policy 39-20 to align the district with Maryland’s House Bill 78 and a cited Education Article statutory provision. Lewis said the changes update the prior requirement for a nut‑free table so it now accommodates students with severe allergies to any of the nine major allergens and adds requirements for allergen disclosure and reasonable steps to reduce exposure.
Valerie Palmer, supervisor of child nutrition, told the board that when the cafeteria receives medical documentation—usually from the school nurse or a parent—the restriction is entered on the student’s account and a PIN alert appears at the register that cafeteria staff must acknowledge before completing a sale. “We go through and actually compare the students’ restrictions to every menu item that we serve, and an approved list is created based on that student’s restrictions,” Palmer said.
Board members asked operational questions about verification and whether medical certification is required; Palmer said the meal‑service accommodations require medical documentation and that the district’s dietitian reviews and, if necessary, follows up with parents or providers for clarification. Palmer described operational supports including a red allergy binder at registers, individualized approved‑item lists, and managers trained to ensure safe meal service.
School health staff explained that auto‑injectable epinephrine is stocked in health rooms and that each school maintains at least two trained staff members; staff said the district also keeps Narcan with a standing order from the health department and conducts annual training on recognizing anaphylaxis and overdoses. “We have students who also have their own individual orders and their own individual emergency plans from the physician,” a health staff member said.
The policy was presented for review; board members were told the revised language adds statutory citations and purpose statements and will return to the board for formal consideration. No vote on Policy 39-20 occurred at the meeting.
What happens next: staff said the district will bring the revised policy back for board action at a future meeting after completing any additional clarifications requested by board members.