Telehealth Appointments

Telehealth Appointments

During the 2024 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill (HB) 522 – Public Schools – Telehealth Appointments – State Guidelines, Policies, and Access (Md. Code, Education Article § 4-143). This statute is designed to improve student access to telehealth appointments for public middle and high school students across the State. The statute mandates that public schools allow students to participate in telehealth appointments during the school day. Board of Education Policy 5140: “Student Participation in Telehealth Appointments”, adopted by the Board of Education in July 2025, established the specific requirements for Howard County Public School System (HCPSS).

Policy 5140 refers to parent-initiated physical or behavioral health appointments provided by any health care practitioner selected by the parent. It allows students to participate in a telehealth appointment in the building during the school day. Below are the steps parents should take to schedule an appointment: 

Initial Steps and Information for Parent

  1. The parent must be present at the school and monitor their child for the duration of any telehealth appointment.
    1. The parent is required to:
  2. Sign a consent form for their child to participate in telehealth appointments, and 
  3. Provide permission (by signing a “Release of Records” Form) for HCPSS school-based employees to communicate with telehealth provider to facilitate coordination of care.
  4. The parents should consider the need for telehealth vs missed instructional time:
  5. Parents provide a statement to school staff to help determine if telehealth is a good fit for their child.
  6. Parents must agree to collaborate with HCPSS school-based employees to help ensure that students keep up with missed instruction.
  7. The parent contacts the school's point of contact (RuShell_Allen@hcpss.org) to learn of available telehealth appointment slots.
  8. The parent schedules the appointment with the telehealth provider and confirms with Ms. Allen (Reservoir Telehealth POC) that the appointment has been scheduled with the telehealth provider at a time that aligns with the school's schedule. 
  9. The parent reviews the Telehealth Procedures Manual.