MD SB526

County boards of education must annually prepare and post on the county website a report identifying areas where students are ineligible for school transportation based on distance, and mapping pathways using only safe alternative routes (sidewalks with crosswalks, foot paths, or bike paths) between those residences and schools.

County governing bodies must annually review the school board's report and construct any sidewalks and crosswalks necessary to create safe alternative routes for students identified in the report.

When a county must alter a road outside its jurisdiction to comply, it must develop a plan with the entity controlling that road and make reasonable efforts to execute the plan expeditiously.

The requirements apply to all Maryland counties and take effect July 1, 2025.