§ 7–301.1
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 7-301.1 (2026)
Title 7. Public Schools
Subtitle 3. Attendance and Discipline of Students
§ 7–301.1LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A student’s absence due to a student’s pregnancy or parenting needs is a lawful absence as provided under this section.
(b)
Each county board shall develop a written attendance policy for pregnant and parenting students that, at a minimum, meets the requirements of this section.
(c)
(1)
The policy developed under subsection (b) of this section shall:
(i)
Excuse all absences due to pregnancy– or parenting–related conditions, including absences for:
(1)
Labor;
(2)
Delivery;
(3)
Recovery; and
(4)
Prenatal and postnatal medical appointments;
(ii)
Provide at least 10 days of excused absences for a parenting student after the birth of the student’s child;
(iii)
Excuse any parenting–related absences due to an illness or a medical appointment of the student’s child, including up to 4 days of absences per school year for which the school may not require a note from a physician;
(iv)
Excuse any absence due to a legal appointment involving the pregnant or parenting student that is related to family law proceedings, including adoption, custody, and visitation; and
(v)
Excuse any parenting–related absence from a class due to use of a lactation space to nurse or express breast milk.
(2)
In addition to home and hospital services, the school may allow the student to:
(i)
Make up the work that the student missed in a time period that equals at least as many days that the student was absent; and
(ii)
Choose one of the following alternatives to make up work that the student missed:
(1)
Retake a semester;
(2)
Participate in an online course credit recovery program; or
(3)
Allow the student 6 weeks to continue at the same pace and finish at a later date.
(3)
Each county board shall publish its written attendance policy for pregnant and parenting students on the county board’s website.