County Boards of Education - Substance Abuse Treatment - Student Information Disclosure Policy
Summary
HB543 would require every county board of education in Maryland to adopt a policy allowing public schools to disclose certain student information to a detoxification center or hospital when the disclosure is for substance abuse treatment. The bill distinguishes between two categories of information: directory information, such as a student’s name, address, phone number, date and place of birth, and attendance dates; and personally identifiable information, which includes more sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, parent or guardian information, and health records.
Under the bill, a student’s directory information may be shared with a detox center or hospital if the student consents to substance abuse treatment under existing Health-General law, unless a parent or guardian has opted out through a process established by the county board. Personally identifiable information must be disclosed only when the student is experiencing a health emergency event and the disclosure is necessary to protect the student’s health and safety. The bill also requires county board policies to notify parents and guardians about the disclosure policy and the opt-out process for directory information.
Impact
HB543 would add a new section to the Education Article, creating a statewide requirement that county boards establish local school policies governing disclosure of student information for substance abuse treatment. It would affect public schools, county boards of education, detoxification centers, hospitals, students, and parents or guardians by authorizing limited information sharing in defined circumstances and by creating a parent/guardian opt-out for directory information. The bill would take effect July 1, 2025, and would operate alongside existing Health-General provisions governing consent for treatment and health emergencies.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears to be policy-driven and protective of student welfare, with the bill framed as a way to facilitate timely substance abuse treatment. The structure of the bill suggests an attempt to balance access to care with privacy protections by limiting disclosure to specific circumstances and preserving a parental opt-out for less sensitive information. No formal vote history or hearing record is provided here to indicate broader support or opposition.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to center on student privacy, parental control, and the scope of school authority to disclose information. Supporters would likely emphasize the need for rapid intervention in substance abuse crises and the importance of allowing schools to help connect students to treatment. Opponents or privacy advocates may object to schools sharing directory or personally identifiable information with medical facilities, especially concerns about consent, the breadth of the emergency exception, and whether parents should have more control over disclosures involving minors.