Board sends amended student telehealth access policy out for 30 days of public comment

The Harford County Board of Education on May 19 considered an amended student telehealth access policy and agreed to send the revised document out for a 30‑day public comment period after board members raised questions about which version was posted to the agenda.

Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services Bernard Hennigan explained that the updated policy integrates procedural details into the policy text to make clear how telehealth appointments will be requested and carried out. "The procedure spells out from beginning how a parent requests all the way to the end of the child meeting with their doctor and going back to class," Hennigan said, describing edits that place procedural steps directly into the policy.

Board members noted multiple policy versions had been uploaded between Friday and the meeting and requested the correct file be linked on the agenda prior to public comment. Members also asked that the policy explicitly prevent the policy's expedited 30‑day requirement from being used to bring in sick children for onsite telehealth; Hennigan said that language was embedded in the procedure and would be plainly visible in the posted version.

The board did not take a vote to adopt the policy; instead, members confirmed that the district will post the amended policy and procedure for a 30‑day public comment period and circulate the correct version to board members and the public.

The item remains at the policy‑review stage pending public feedback and any further amendments the board may direct following the comment period.