SB 654
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
First Reader
Senate Bill 654 (Senator Klausmeier)
Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
Education – Comprehensive Health Education Program – Instruction on Skin
Cancer
This bill requires, beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each local board of education
to provide age-appropriate instruction on skin cancer as part of the comprehensive health
education program. The bill takes effect July 1, 2021.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: None. The bill is directed at local school systems.
Local Effect: None. Local school systems are required to provide instruction on skin
cancer as part of the health education program. Enhancing current skin cancer instruction
may divert resources from existing health curriculum requirements.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law: Each local school system must (1) provide in public schools a
comprehensive health education program with sufficient frequency and duration to meet
the requirements of the State curriculum for all students in prekindergarten through grade 8
and (2) offer in public schools a comprehensive health education program in
grades 9 through 12 that enables students to meet graduation requirements and to select
health education electives. Access to the curriculum must be provided for
nondiploma-bound students.
In order to graduate from a public high school in Maryland, students must complete a
half credit of health.
State law requires local school systems to teach a number of specified health topics
including drug addiction and prevention education; awareness and prevention of
sexual abuse and assault; and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that includes
hands-only CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator.
State regulations require health instruction in the following topics: mental and emotional
health; substance abuse prevention; family life and human sexuality; safety and violence
prevention; healthy eating; and disease prevention and control. The Maryland Comprehensive
Health Education Framework published July 2020 requires instruction on skin cancer.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: SB 695 of 2020 received a hearing in the Senate Education, Health,
and Environmental Affairs Committee, but no further action was taken.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Maryland State Department of Education; Baltimore City Public
Schools; Baltimore County Public Schools; Montgomery County Public Schools;
Prince George’s County Public Schools; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 24, 2021
rh/rhh
Analysis by: Caroline L. Boice Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
SB 654/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Education – Comprehensive Health Education Program – Instruction on Skin Cancer: 7-447 Education