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<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="7-424.2" title_number="7" title_name="Public Schools" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Health and Safety of Students">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section, “school security officer” includes a school principal, another school administrator, a law enforcement officer, or other individual employed by a local school system or a local government who is designated by the county superintendent or a school principal to help maintain the security and safety of a school.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“School security officer” does not include a teacher.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>By March 31, 2011, the State Board, after consultation with and input from the Department of Juvenile Services, the Department of State Police, the Department of Human Services, and local school systems, shall develop a model policy to address gangs, gang activity, and similar destructive or illegal group behavior in schools.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The model policy developed under subsection (b) of this section shall include:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>A statement prohibiting gang activity in schools;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A statement prohibiting reprisal or retaliation against individuals who report suspected gang activity;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A definition of gang and gang activity;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Standard consequences and remedial actions for individuals engaged in gang activity or similar destructive or illegal group behavior;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Standard consequences and remedial actions for individuals found to have made false accusations;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Model procedures for reporting suspected gang activity or similar destructive or illegal group behavior;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>Model procedures for the prompt investigation of suspected gang activity or similar destructive or illegal group behavior;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>Information about the types of support services, including family support services, for a student suspected of participating in gang activity; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>Recommendations concerning gang prevention and intervention services and programs for students that maximize community participation and the use of federal funding.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Each local school system shall establish a policy or regulations to address gangs, gang activity, and similar destructive or illegal group behavior in schools based on the model policy.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The policy or regulations shall address the components of the model policy specified in subsection (c) of this section.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Each local school system shall develop the policy or regulations in consultation with representatives of the following groups:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Parents or guardians of students;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>School employees and administrators;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>School volunteers;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Students;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Local law enforcement;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>Gang prevention and intervention programs;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>The Office of the Public Defender;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="viii">
        <text>The Maryland State’s Attorneys Association; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ix">
        <text>Members of the community.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>Each local school system shall submit its policy or regulations to the State Superintendent by September 1, 2011.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>Each local school system shall publicize its policy or regulations in student handbooks, on school system websites, and at any other location or venue the local school system determines is necessary or appropriate.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>Each local school system shall develop the following educational programs in its efforts to address gangs, gang activity, and similar destructive or illegal group behavior in schools:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>An educational gang awareness program for students, staff, volunteers, and parents; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A teacher and administrator development program that trains teachers and administrators to implement the policy or regulations.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A school employee shall report any incidence of suspected gang activity or similar destructive or illegal group behavior promptly to the principal and, for a school that has a school security officer, to the school security officer.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The principal and the school security officer may take appropriate action to maintain a safe and secure school environment, including the provision of appropriate intervention services.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="i">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Each county superintendent shall require regular school security meetings for each middle school and high school to ensure coordination of gang prevention, intervention, and suppression efforts.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The following individuals shall participate in the meetings described in paragraph (1) of this subsection:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>School principals;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>School security officers;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Guidance counselors;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Local law enforcement officers;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Representatives from the county State’s Attorney’s Office;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>Representatives from the Office of the Public Defender;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>Gang prevention and intervention program representatives; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="viii">
        <text>Any other individuals that the county superintendent considers appropriate.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="j">
    <text>Each county superintendent shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the county State’s Attorney’s Office to foster coordination of gang prevention, intervention, and suppression efforts.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="k">
    <text>On or before January 1, 2011, and each year thereafter, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the implementation of State and local policies and regulations to address gangs, gang activity, and similar destructive or illegal group behavior described in this section.</text>
  </level>
</section>
