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Bill would let schools coordinate voluntary locative devices for students with documented elopement risk
Summary
HB 11 82 would authorize voluntary, privacy‑protected coordination between families and schools for the use of locative devices for students with a documented history of wandering or elopement in an IEP or behavior plan, with parental consent and MSDE guidance; parents and caregivers testified about dangerous elopement incidents and inconsistent local rules.
Delegate Alethea McCaskill told the committee that HB 11 82 is a voluntary, parent‑driven policy to allow coordination between schools and families when locative devices are part of a student's individualized safety plan. "This legislation does not mandate devices or require schools to buy them," she said; the bill would require parental consent, limited data access, and MSDE advisory guidance.
Parents, caregivers and disability advocates described terrifying elopement incidents and inconsistent school policies about devices. Maddie Ciateola, mother of a nonverbal child with Angelman syndrome, said a device she purchased was initially flagged as disallowed by a teacher but later accepted by an administrator. "It was the deep breath I needed," she said, adding that uniform rules would reduce uncertainty for families.
Witnesses and presenters emphasized the bill's privacy safeguards: devices would trigger alerts only at specific entry or exit points (not continuous surveillance) and schools would access the minimum information necessary to respond to an elopement incident. Several speakers noted devices are typically purchased and paid for by caregivers; cost estimates presented ranged from modest monthly subscriptions to higher annual costs, and sponsors pointed to companion bills in the LEAD Act package that could address affordability.
Committee members asked about costs, procurement, and operational burdens. Sponsors said devices would be procured by caregivers and noted a market range from about $30/month to $100/month for subscription services, while more comprehensive services could cost more. The hearing closed without a committee vote; if advanced, MSDE would issue implementation guidance and local teams would coordinate use in IEP meetings.
Provenance: HB 11 82 testimony (SEG 3459–SEG 3833).
