Katherine Schutes, J.D., serves as Staff Attorney, Eastern Region and is a Research Fellow at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law.

In 2023 Katherine received her J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where she earned a certificate in Environmental Law. While attending law school, she focused on assisting environmental justice communities through the Maryland Environmental Law Clinic and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Katherine also completed a public health research internship with the National Conference of State Legislatures. Her areas of interest include environmental health, sustainability analytics, injury prevention with an emphasis on motor vehicle safety, and public health advocacy. Katherine also holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Articles & Resources

When Politics Prevent Care: School Nurses Left to Grapple with Confusing Parental Rights Laws

Law & Policy InsightsHealth in School

January 7, 2026
by Katherine Schutes and Kerri McGowan Lowrey

Many states have recently introduced parental rights legislation in response to a perceived lack of parental authority in educational settings. Largely driven by politics, these laws are not created with implementation in mind, causing confusion and compromising the care provided by school nurses, which is essential healthcare for many school-aged children.

Read more

Merging Lanes: Bringing the Environmental Impacts of Driving to New Driver Education

Law & Policy InsightsNeighborhood and Built EnvironmentEnvironment, Climate and Health

July 24, 2024
by Katherine Schutes and Kathleen Hoke

Since its inception, graduated driver licensing (GDL) has focused on minimizing the prevalence of motor vehicle crashes caused by new drivers, reducing related injuries and property damage. Some states have made another important addition to their driver education program—the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality.

Read more