MITCHELLVILLE, Md. (CBSDC) — Much to the delight of students across the state, Maryland lawmakers are considering pushing back school start times.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would set up a task force to take a deeper look at later start times and make recommendations for Maryland public school districts by the end of the year.

The task force reportedly would include representatives from the Maryland State Board of Education and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, including a mental health professional and a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders.

A hearing on the bill is scheduled for Friday.

Maribel Ibrahim, co-founder of Start School Later — a national organization based in Annapolis — thinks the bill could be the start in eventually reaching an appropriate start time for schools.

“I view this bill as a critical first step. It’s not going to be the end all and be all. It’s certainly not going to jump-start any massive changes immediately. But I think this is the foundation of understanding that needs to happen in the public, and I’m really excited about it,” Ibrahim said.

Many school districts throughout the state have had issues with early school start times. Ibrahim has been fighting for later start times in Anne Arundel County, but groups in Montgomery, Howard and Carroll counties also have made moves to start school later.

WNEW’s Karen Adams contributed to this report. Follow her on Twitter.

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