Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Maryland board adopts updated comprehensive health education framework and COMAR revisions
Summary
The Maryland State Board of Education granted permission to adopt updated comprehensive health education regulations and a November 2025 framework after public comment and a statewide review; MSDE said the policy preserves parental opt‑out rights and focuses on evidence‑based, age‑appropriate instruction.
The Maryland State Board of Education voted on February 1 to grant permission to adopt revised COMAR 13A.04.18 and the state’s updated comprehensive health education framework, after MSDE staff described months of outreach and a public comment process that drew 625 responses from 21 of Maryland’s 24 counties.
MSDE Director of Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Jason Semenoff said the updates refine public‑health terminology, add clarified indicators on substance use for certain grade bands, and include hyperlinks and glossary expansions to support consistent implementation. He said parents will retain the statutory right to review instruction and to opt students out of family life and human sexuality lessons without penalty.
MSDE staff presented the outreach findings and noted strong backing from health and education stakeholders, including pediatric and academic testimony during the public comment period. Dr. Maria Trent of Johns Hopkins, who identified herself as a pediatrician and professor, told the board her clinical and research experience supports inclusive, evidence‑based, age‑appropriate lessons that she said lead to lower rates of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy.
Board members discussed the guidance and noted dissenting opinions in public comments, but emphasized the regulation’s opt‑out protections and MSDE’s plan for implementation supports. The department said it will publish plain‑language materials for families, provide LEAs with an implementation guide, and offer professional learning for teachers, school leaders and higher‑education partners ahead of full implementation in the 2027–28 school year.
The State Board’s vote to grant permission to adopt was recorded in the public meeting after the presentation; the board’s packet includes an MSDE summary of public comments and the department’s responses. MSDE said it will continue engagement with local education agencies and community partners as districts revise curricula to align with the updated framework.
The board did not change the statutory opt‑out rights set out in state law and reiterated that local districts maintain control over curriculum selection and implementation timing.
