In 1973, the Maryland State School Health Council, in its advisory role to the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, first developed guidelines for local school health councils. The guidelines provided direction for local health and education agencies to plan and coordinate their comprehensive school health programs pursuant to the state school health law, now recodified as Education Article 7-401 et.seq. These guidelines were developed to meet the needs of local jurisdiction and the current school practice. In 1998, the guidelines were revised to address the expanded school health program, the changing needs of school health, and the new support systems for school health at the state and local level.

In 1991, the mandate of Education Article 7-401 (b), to promulgate joint state standards and guidelines, was finally implemented in the Education Bylaw, COMAR 13A.05.05.05-.15.Section .13A of this bylaw mandated each local superintendent and health officer, assisted by the Maryland State School Health Council, to establish a local school health council. Compliance with these regulations was required by September 1, 1995. This regulation has encouraged the formation of local councils, but local health and education agencies frequently request guidance and assistance in the establishment and continuation of their local councils. This newly revised document with attachments and references is intended to address these reports.

The most effective tool for promoting coordinated comprehensive school health programs is the support of the local community. A local school health council is an advisory group composed of members representing broad segments of the community, including health, business, clergy, social services, parents, teachers, and school administrators. The group acts collectively to identify needs, review programs and policies, and generally provide advice to the local school system and health department on the school health program. A successful council will safeguard the health of school children and staff and promote the educational mission of the school system. It will also bring the community together to support school health.

The mission of the Maryland State School Health Council is to provide leadership and to advise state and local agencies in the development and promotion of coordinated school health programs.

The objective of the Maryland State School Health Council is to promote coordinated school health programs that will allow students to grow up healthier, achieve optimal academic success, and have a healthier life style. These coordinated school health programs shall include:

• Health education
• Health services
• A healthy school environment
• Physical education
• Food and nutrition services
• Coordinated student services
• Health promotion for faculty and staff
• Family and community involvement

The Council strives to achieve five specific goals:

• To improve the health of children through the promotion of Coordinated School Health Programs.
• To review coordinated school health program issues and make recommendations to the State Superintendent of Education, the State Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, their designated representatives, or the Council Membership.
• To educate and disseminate information regarding the development and improvement of Coordinated School Health.
• To support local school health councils in Maryland.
• To develop, review and recommend to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Education, and local governments, policy and legislation regarding Coordinated School Health Programs.

Council Officers: The officers of the council include a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past Chair. 

Executive Board: The Executive Board of the Maryland State School Health Council is the administrative unit of the Council, serving as the organization's key planning and coordinating group. The Executive Board consists of six health agency and six educaion agency members of the general body representing the local jurisdictions on a regional basis, two representatives of the Maryland State Department of Education, two representatives of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the chairperson of any of the Council's Ad Hoc Committies, a representative from each or any of twenty five different state and local government entinities and advocacy groups.

Committees: The Council maintains standing committees and occassionally appoints Ad Hoc committees when necessary. The standing committees include:

• Coordinated School Health Programs
• Current Health Trends
• Legislative Affairs
• Local School Health Councils
• Membership
• Nominating
• Program
• Website

Committees may be asked to submit reports to the Executive Board upon request, but are expected to submit an annual report to the Council. The Committee chairpersons are appointed by the Council Chairperson with approval of the Executive Board

General Body: The general body consists of representatives from each of Maryland's twenty-three counties, and Baltimore City. Two council representatives are appointed by the Superintendent of Schools, and two by the Health Officer in each jurisdiction. Members of the General Assembly are appointed for three year terms, but they can be reappointed to the Council at the conclusion of their three-year term. The General body elects twelve members to serve as members of the executive board for a term of three years. These elected members include one each from a local health and education agency representing the following six regions:

• Western Maryland (Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington County)
• Baltimore Metro (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford County, and Baltimore City)
• Central Maryland (Carroll, Howard, and Montgomery County)
• Southern Maryland (Calvert, Charles, Prince Georges, and Saint Mary's County)
• Upper Shore (Cecil, Kent, Queen Annes, and Talbot County)
• Lower Shore (Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Worcester, and Wicomico County)