<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="7-14A-02" title_number="7" title_name="Public Schools" subtitle_number="14A" subtitle_name="Operation of Public Schools During a Prolonged State of Emergency -- Virtual Education Plans">
  <level label="a">
    <text>On written request of a county superintendent or a determination by the State Superintendent that immediate action is necessary, the State Superintendent may declare a prolonged state of emergency that prevents regular, in–person attendance at a public school for at least 14 consecutive school days due to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>A natural disaster;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A civil disaster;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A public health emergency; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>A specific security threat identified by federal, State, or local law enforcement.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>In making a declaration of a prolonged state of emergency under this section, the State Superintendent shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Consult the Governor, and if appropriate:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The Maryland Department of Emergency Management;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The Department of State Police; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The Maryland Department of Health;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Issue the declaration in writing;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Indicate in the declaration:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The nature of the emergency; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The specific local school systems or individual schools threatened or affected, unless the emergency is statewide in nature; and</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Disseminate the declaration promptly by means calculated to publicize the contents of the declaration.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>If an emergency threatens or affects a particular school within a local school system, the State Superintendent may declare a prolonged state of emergency for that school.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A prolonged state of emergency declared in accordance with this section may be terminated by:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A joint resolution by the General Assembly;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>An affirmative vote by the State Board; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>A decision by the State Superintendent.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>If a prolonged state of emergency is terminated by any method listed under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Superintendent shall issue a declaration disseminated promptly by means calculated to publicize the termination of the prolonged state of emergency.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>Nothing in this subtitle may be construed to limit or interfere with the responsibilities of the Secretary of Health under Title 18 of the Health – General Article in the event of a public health emergency.</text>
  </level>
</section>
