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Bill

HB 1204

Public and Nonpublic Schools - Student Elopement - Notice and Reporting Requirements (Ace's Law)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Vanessa Atterbeary and 15 co-sponsors

Maryland law now requires schools to immediately notify parents and report student elopement incidents to police, prioritizing rapid response to missing students.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 339
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Bill Summary · HB 1204

Legislative bill overview

HB 1204 establishes mandatory notice and reporting requirements for schools when students elope (leave school grounds without permission). The bill requires both public and nonpublic schools to notify parents/guardians immediately upon discovering a student has eloped and to report the incident to local law enforcement within a specified timeframe.

Why is this important

Student elopement poses serious safety risks, particularly for vulnerable students with autism, intellectual disabilities, or behavioral health conditions. Without standardized reporting requirements, critical response time is lost and parents may not know their child is missing. This legislation aims to ensure rapid parental notification and coordinated law enforcement response to locate missing students quickly.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden: Schools must establish new protocols and staff training, potentially straining resources in already under-funded districts
  • Law enforcement coordination: Unclear definitions of what constitutes elopement versus authorized early dismissal, and potential inconsistency in police response across jurisdictions
  • Privacy concerns: Mandatory law enforcement reporting could disproportionately affect students of color or those with disabilities, raising civil rights questions about police involvement in school discipline
  • Liability implications: Schools may face increased liability if reporting procedures aren't followed precisely, creating legal exposure

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

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