{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-education-7-1402","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Education § 7–1402","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and subject to the approval of the Department, a county board may establish one virtual school for the elementary, middle, and high school grade bands.\n(2) The Department may provide preliminary authorization to a county board to establish one additional virtual school on a showing of just cause, as determined by the Department.\n(3) The Department may revoke approval of a virtual school if during the previous school year the virtual school fails to meet the standards established by the Department in regulation.\n(4) (i) A county board may appeal a denial or revocation of approval for the establishment of a virtual school to the State Board for adjudication during a public hearing.\n(ii) The State Board shall develop an appeals process to carry out the provisions of this paragraph.\n(b) A virtual school may not include classes for prekindergarten or kindergarten students.\n(c) A virtual school is subject to all applicable federal and State laws and regulations governing the operation of a public school.\n(d) Each approved virtual school shall have a unique school code assigned by the Department.\n(e) (1) A county board may not contract with a for–profit entity, but may contract with a nonprofit entity, to operate or administer a virtual school for the county board.\n(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection may not be construed to prohibit a county board from contracting with a for–profit entity for goods and services for a virtual school.","path":["Article - Education"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ged\u0026section=7-1402","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:38Z","sha256":"97ead7f7b326859d9536556cf230af905ec19d4e54e3a706a5fc8f018b593d2c","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-education-7-1401.1","next":"us-md/md.-code-education-7-1403"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}