Board approves permission to publish COMAR packages on athletics, early-childhood licensing and student expression

The Maryland State Board of Education voted to grant permission to publish three packages of COMAR regulatory changes for public comment.

Andy Warner of MSDE and the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association presented an 18-month review of COMAR 13A.0603 (Intercollegiate Athletics), noting proposed changes are substantive and editorial and aim to remove participation barriers while supporting local administration. Education Policy recommended publishing and the board voted to grant permission to publish for public comment.

Assistant Superintendent Sarah Neville Morgan presented a statutory alignment to COMAR 13A.1806 to reflect a 2025 law lowering the minimum age for childcare teachers from 19 to 18; the board approved permission to publish the amendment.

Assistant Superintendent Mary Gable presented a republishing of student-expression regulations in COMAR 13A.0801, describing changes made after public comment to remove prior-approval language and refine appeal procedures and timelines. Education Policy proposed edits and the board approved permission to republish for further public comment.

All three votes were recorded as motions carried with no recorded opposition during the public meeting. These items will enter standard public-comment periods for further input prior to final adoption.