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SB 821

Primary and Secondary Education - Student Immunization - Temporary Admission Period

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Beth Carozza and 2 co-sponsors

Allows temporary school admission up to 60 days for students lacking immunization proof, pending vaccination or record reconstruction, with required evidence.

Hearing 2/21 at 9:30 a.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 821

SB 821 — Primary and Secondary Education: Student Immunization — Temporary Admission Period (Summary)

Status: Hearing scheduled 2/21 (9:30 a.m.)
Introduced: (per file) Feb 21, 2025
Effective date (as drafted): July 1, 2025

Purpose

SB 821 amends Maryland’s school immunization law to (1) codify a temporary admission process for students who cannot immediately produce proof of required immunizations, and (2) extend the allowable temporary admission period from 20 calendar days to 60 calendar days to allow parents/guardians more time to obtain immunizations or reconstruct records.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 7–403.1 to the Education Article and modifies existing § 7–403.
  • Requires each county board of education to temporarily admit a student when the parent/guardian cannot provide proof of required immunizations, provided the parent submits evidence (on a Maryland Department of Health form) of an appointment with a health professional or local health department (LHD) to:
    • receive the required immunization(s), or
    • reconstruct a lost immunization record, or
    • obtain evidence of age-appropriate immunity.
  • Extends the maximum allowed interval between temporary admission and the appointment date from 20 calendar days (current regulation) to 60 calendar days.
  • Requires the parent/guardian to provide evidence of completion of required immunizations to the school on the next school day following the student’s appointment. If documentation is not provided, the school may exclude the student the next school day after the appointment date.
  • Places these timing and documentation requirements into statute (rather than leaving them solely to regulation).

Who is affected

  • Students (and parents/guardians) who lack immediate proof of required school immunizations — especially newly enrolled, transferring, or homeless students.
  • County boards of education and local school systems (admissions and record-keeping processes).
  • Local health departments and health care providers (appointments, vaccine administration, record reconstruction).
  • Maryland Department of Health (MDH) — to provide forms and may update implementing regulations.

Fiscal and operational impact (summary from fiscal note)

  • State: Possible increase in State education aid if extended temporary admissions raise measured enrollment; MDH can update regulations with existing resources.
  • Local: Potential administrative burdens for schools to track extended temporary admissions and update enrollment counts; LHDs and schools may face operational impacts to accommodate the longer period.
  • Revenues: No direct revenue effect reported.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Bill takes effect July 1, 2025 (per bill language).
  • At hearing stage (2/21). If enacted, schools would implement the 60‑day temporary admission framework and MDH would supply the appointment/evidence form and any regulatory revisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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