Public Schools - Individuals With Disabilities - Main Entrance Accessibility and Emergency Planning

SB 851 requires Maryland public school districts to annually report on main entrance accessibility for people with disabilities and update emergency plans. Specifically, county boards must publish on their websites and report to the legislature by September 1 each year the number of school building entrances not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). School systems must submit their updated emergency plans - including evacuation accommodations for students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans - to the state education department by September 1, with the department analyzing compliance and reporting to the legislature by December 1. The bill directly affects all Maryland public school districts and ensures students with disabilities have accessible facilities and tailored emergency support.