Children - Parental Rights - Educational Rights

SB 948 requires Maryland county school boards to create and implement policies promoting parental involvement in students' education. The bill mandates that these policies include specific provisions: parents must be able to review classroom materials (via website or written copy), receive advance notice about sensitive topics like family life education, withdraw students from certain activities or lessons, and provide consent before schools use gender pronouns that differ from a student’s biological sex. Parents also gain the right to file complaints if policies are violated, with a 14-day investigation timeline by school superintendents and a subsequent appeal process to the county board. The law directly affects parents, school boards, and students in Maryland public schools, focusing on access to information and decision-making authority.