Panel debates bill to require county policies excusing student civic engagement

House Bill 575 — as amended — would require county boards of education to adopt attendance policies excusing students who participate in civic engagement, including testifying, visiting legislators or participating before other public-facing policymaking bodies, and would expand coverage beyond the General Assembly page program.

Delegate Ebersole, the sponsor, said the amendment removes a requirement that MSDE adopt the policy and expands the set of civic activities that counties may excuse. She told members the intent is to make it clear that students who come to testify or otherwise meaningfully engage in government may receive an excused absence without penalizing classroom attendance records.

Delegate Hornberger raised constitutional concerns and described a hypothetical scenario of schools loading students onto buses to lobby local government, calling the idea “unconstitutional.” Counsel and other members responded that while the scenario may be ethically dubious and potentially run afoul of federal restrictions tied to federal funds, the bill itself requires counties to set specific policies and does not automatically authorize misuse of school resources. Committee discussion emphasized parental permission, local policy control and a two-day (15-hour) cap mentioned in committee discussion; staff noted an exception for pages, who serve multiple days.

The committee adopted the amendments and moved HB 575 favorable with amendments. Members asked staff and counsel to clarify limits and encouraged counties to define their local implementation details in policy.