Section 7-1402 - Establishment of virtual school(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.(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.(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.(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.(ii) The State Board shall develop an appeals process to carry out the provisions of this paragraph.(b) A virtual school may not include classes for prekindergarten or kindergarten students.(c) A virtual school is subject to all applicable federal and State laws and regulations governing the operation of a public school.(d) Each approved virtual school shall have a unique school code assigned by the Department.(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.(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.Amended by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 804, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2023.