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Bill

HB 311

Public Schools - Individuals With Disabilities - Accessibility and Emergency Planning

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marvin Holmes and 4 co-sponsors

Maryland schools must develop disability-inclusive accessibility standards and individualized emergency plans for students with disabilities to ensure safe evacuations and crisis response.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 666
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Bill Summary · HB 311

Legislative bill overview

HB 311 requires Maryland public schools to implement comprehensive accessibility standards and emergency preparedness plans specifically designed for students with disabilities. The bill mandates that schools conduct accessibility audits, develop individualized emergency procedures for disabled students, and ensure staff training on disability-inclusive emergency protocols.

Why is this important

Students with disabilities face disproportionate risks during emergencies due to physical, sensory, or cognitive barriers in evacuation procedures and shelter-in-place protocols. Current federal requirements (ADA, IDEA) lack specific emergency planning mandates, leaving significant gaps in how schools protect vulnerable populations during fires, lockdowns, natural disasters, and other crises.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Schools may argue that comprehensive accessibility audits and individualized emergency plans require substantial funding and staffing resources, particularly in under-resourced districts
  • Liability and standardization: Unclear whether bill defines specific accessibility standards or allows school discretion, potentially creating inconsistent protections and litigation risks
  • Operational complexity: Developing and maintaining individualized emergency plans for each disabled student could create logistical challenges, particularly in larger schools, raising questions about feasibility and effectiveness

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

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