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MarylandSB 02922026 Regular SessionSenate

County Boards of Education - Student Transportation - Sunset Repeal and Study

Sponsored By: Jack Bailey (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Primary and Secondary EducationTransportation - GenerallyContractors -see also- Construct; Electricians; etc.Counties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.Criminal Background InvestigationsEducation, Boards ofEducation, State Department ofFingerprintingIndependent ContractorsIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Motor Vehicles -see also- Aband Veh; Ambulances; Buses; etc.Motor Vehicle AdministrationNoticesRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReportsRules and RegulationsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetyStandards and Best PracticesStudentsStudies -see also- Commitees & Commissions; ReportsSunsetTimeTransportation -see also- Aircraft; Airports; Boats; etc

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

No school bus fees in Montgomery County

Beginning June 1, 2026, Montgomery County may not charge a fee to take a student between school and the student’s assigned bus stop. Families using designated bus stops in Montgomery County do not pay that fee.

Ride-hailing and other student transport options

Beginning June 1, 2026, county school boards can use vehicles that are not standard school buses when a bus cannot reasonably be provided. This covers preschoolers; students with disabilities; homeless youth; children in foster care; students without bus access; students in nonpublic placements; and students in dual enrollment, work, or other off-campus programs. Boards may add other groups in writing. The State sets minimum driver and vehicle safety rules with the Motor Vehicle Administration. A board can also hire a ride-hailing company to take no more than two students at a time if the driver meets Public Service Commission rules, passes state and fingerprint-based state and national criminal history checks, uses a vehicle with 10 seats or fewer, and meets any extra county rules.

Counties can add extra school transportation

Beginning June 1, 2026, a county government may pay for extra transportation for public school students in addition to State service. This help is optional and only applies where a county chooses to fund it.

Bus access for private students in Calvert

Beginning June 1, 2026, Calvert County may let private school students ride public school buses if certain rules are met. There must be space on the bus; the student lives on or near the route and in the bus’s district; trips run only on public school routes, days, and hours; and, if the private school is not on the route, the ride goes only to the nearest public school on that route. After a private school student gets off the bus, the county board is not responsible for the student’s safety and cannot be sued for events after drop-off.

State review of student transport rules

Beginning June 1, 2026, the State education department reviews rules for using non–school-bus vehicles, with county boards and the Motor Vehicle Administration. The review checks whether vehicle and driver standards are fair and strong and how they align with Public Service Commission rules for ride-hailing. A report is due to two legislative committees by January 1, 2027. After the review, if the Department adopts its own student-transport regulations for these vehicles, the temporary rules in this law that authorize that transportation end, and the Department must notify the Department of Legislative Services within 5 days after the new rules take effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jack Bailey

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 222 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 135 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 682

    5/26/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/10/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (42-0)

    4/10/2026Senate

  4. Senate Concurs House Amendments

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. Third Reading Passed (135-0)

    4/10/2026House

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/8/2026House

  7. Favorable with Amendments {623128/1 Adopted

    4/8/2026House

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

    4/8/2026House

  9. Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/23/2026House

  10. Referred Ways and Means

    3/20/2026House

  11. Third Reading Passed (45-0)

    3/19/2026Senate

  12. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/18/2026Senate

  13. Favorable with Amendments {203822/1 Adopted

    3/18/2026Senate

  14. Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    3/16/2026Senate

  15. Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/19/2026Senate

  16. Hearing canceled

    2/19/2026Senate

  17. Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/29/2026Senate

  18. First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

    1/21/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/10/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/18/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/21/2026

    PDF

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