MD SB819

County boards of education may adopt open enrollment policies allowing students to attend public schools in counties other than where they reside, free of charge

Enrollment preferences must be given to students zoned to the school and siblings of enrolled students, with a lottery or equitable selection process used when applications exceed capacity

Schools may deny applications for reasons including lack of capacity, inability to meet special needs, lack of requested programs, desegregation plan requirements, or if the student has been expelled

Sending counties must transfer to receiving counties the lesser of the two counties' local current expense per student; if the sending county's amount is lower, the state covers the difference

Effective date: July 1, 2025