To Maryland Lawmakers: Help Students Get to School
Maryland is still recovering from a student attendance crisis. At its peak in 2022, chronic absenteeism surged across the state — and while rates have improved modestly, too many students remain disconnected from school. Vulnerable students are disproportionately affected, with some underserved populations experiencing chronic absence rates up to 20% higher than their peers.
One of the key drivers of absenteeism is unreliable or unavailable transportation — particularly for foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, and students with disabilities who require specialized services.
At the same time, school districts across Maryland continue to face a severe bus driver shortage. Nationwide, more than 90% of school transportation directors report driver shortages, and Maryland districts have struggled to maintain consistent routes and service. When traditional yellow bus systems fall short, students are left without a reliable way to get to school.
This is not just a transportation issue — it is an education equity issue. When students can't get to school, they can't learn.
In 2021, Maryland lawmakers enacted a flexible solution by allowing districts to use vetted third-party transportation providers to serve students when standard bus routes could not. That flexibility has helped districts support students with the greatest barriers to attendance.
Now, that authority is set to expire.
SB 292 and HB 319 provide a simple and necessary fix: remove the sunset provision and allow school districts to continue using alternative transportation solutions to serve students who need them most.
Every day, Maryland students miss school because they don't have a way to get there. This is a solvable problem.
Sign to show your support for SB 292 and HB 319 so that Maryland school districts can continue to meet the needs of their most vulnerable students with flexibility, creativity, and care.
We urge you to support SB 292 and HB 319 with amendments to preserve and strengthen Maryland's flexible student transportation options.
Maryland is still recovering from a student attendance crisis. Chronic absenteeism reached nearly 30% statewide at its peak, and vulnerable students continue to miss school at significantly higher rates than their peers. Transportation remains one of the biggest barriers.
In 2021, the General Assembly allowed school districts to use vetted third-party transportation providers when yellow bus routes fall short. That flexibility has helped serve foster youth, students with disabilities, and students experiencing homelessness — students who face the greatest challenges getting to school.
Now, that authority is set to expire.
As introduced, SB 292 and HB 319 repeal the sunset provision. Repealing the sunset is essential — but the bills must also include targeted amendments to ensure the program works as intended.
Maryland's current rules contain inefficiencies and inconsistencies that limit districts' ability to safely coordinate rides when appropriate — such as allowing siblings, neighbors, or classmates traveling to the same school to ride together. As currently written, some small vehicle transportation companies are restricted to transporting a single student, while others are able to transport multiple students. This inconsistency creates confusion for school administrators and restricts the type of vehicle that siblings and classmates can travel in together. Clarifying safety standards and modernizing these rules will improve efficiency while maintaining strong oversight.
These bills do not replace school buses. They ensure that when buses cannot meet demand, districts have safe and practical tools to keep students connected to school.
This is an education equity issue.
When students cannot get to school, they cannot learn. Please support SB 292 and HB 319 with amendments to preserve flexibility, strengthen safety clarity, and ensure Maryland students have a reliable way to get to school.
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