Bill > SB526

This bill requires county boards of education to annually prepare and publish a detailed report identifying areas where students are ineligible for school transportation and mapping out safe alternative routes for those students to travel to school. A "safe alternative route" is defined as including roads with sidewalks and crosswalks, foot paths, and bike paths. The bill mandates that county governing bodies review these annual reports and then construct the necessary sidewalks and crosswalks to create these safe routes for students who live too far from school to receive transportation services. If a required road alteration is on a road not under the county's jurisdiction, the county must develop a plan with the appropriate governmental entity and make reasonable efforts to implement improvements expeditiously. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to all counties in Maryland, with the goal of improving student safety during their commute to school by providing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure in areas without school bus transportation.

Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0526?ys=2025RS