In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Advisory Board” has the meaning stated in Education Article, §7-1501, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Center” means the Maryland Center for School Safety, its Subcabinet, the Advisory Board to the Subcabinet, its committees, and any other public bodies under the authority and acting on behalf of the Maryland Center for School Safety. “Open session” means a meeting of the Subcabinet or the Advisory Board that is required to be open to the public pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article, Title 3, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Subcabinet” has the meaning stated in Education Article, §7-1501, Annotated Code of Maryland. The general public is invited to attend and observe any open sessions of the Center. Meetings shall be held in a location that is reasonably accessible to individuals who would like to attend and observe an open session of the Center. A member of the public attending an open session may not participate in the session except to the extent: The Center expressly invites public testimony, questions, comments, or other forms of public participation; or The Chair of the Subcabinet, the Chair of the Advisory Board, or a member of the Center invites the public to comment or as entitled by law to participate, An individual attending an open session may not engage in conduct that disrupts the session or interferes with the right of members of the public to attend and observe the session. This includes but is not limited to visual demonstrations, such as the display of placards, signs, or banners, and verbal outbursts from attendees not recognized by the Chair to participate in the session. Authority of the Chair of the Subcabinet and Chair of the Advisory Board. The Chair may order an individual who violates §A of this regulation, or who violates any other regulation or resolution concerning the conduct of the open session, to be removed from the session, and may request law enforcement assistance to restore order. The Chair may recess the session while order is restored. An individual who is asked to leave the session in accordance with these regulations and who refuses to do so may be subject to arrest as provided by law. A member of the public, including a representative of the news media, may: Record the discussions at an open session using a tape recorder or other recording device if the device used does not create excessive noise that disturbs the open session or other individuals attending the session; or Photograph or videotape the proceedings of an open session using any type of camera if the camera is operated without excessively bright artificial light or excessive noise that disturbs the open session or other individuals attending the session. A representative of the news media may broadcast or televise the open session if the equipment used does not create excessively bright artificial light, excessive noise, or other conditions determined at the discretion of the Chair that would disturb the open session or other individuals attending the session. The Chair may restrict the movement of an individual who is using a recording device, a camera, or broadcasting or televising equipment if the restriction is necessary to maintain the orderly conduct of the open session. A member of the public who intends to record the discussions at an open session is requested to provide written notice to the Executive Director of the Center in advance of the meeting advising of the intention to record the proceedings and specifying the type of equipment to be used to record the proceedings. A recording of, or any transcript derived from a recording of, an open session made by a member of the public, including a representative of the news media, is not a part of the record of the open session. Education Article, §7-1503(g); General Provisions Article, §3-101, et seq.; Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 312) This chapter sets forth procedures for the disclosure, inspection, or copying of public records maintained by the Maryland Center for School Safety. It is the policy of the Maryland Center for School Safety to facilitate public access to the Center’s public records when access is authorized by law. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Act” means the Public Information Act, General Provisions Article, Title 4, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Advisory Board” has the meaning stated in Education Article, §7-1501, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Applicant” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §4-101(b), Annotated Code of Maryland. “Center” means the Maryland Center for School Safety, its Subcabinet, Advisory Board to the Subcabinet, advisory councils, workgroups, and committees, any other public bodies under the authority and acting on behalf of the Maryland Center for School Safety, and any employees, agents, or contractors acting on behalf of the Maryland Center for School Safety. “Custodian” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §4-101(d), Annotated Code of Maryland. “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Maryland Center for School Safety, as set forth in Education Article, §7-1502(d), Annotated Code of Maryland. “Official custodian” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §4-101(f), Annotated Code of Maryland. “Person in interest” means: A person or governmental unit that is the subject of a public record; An authorized designee of the person or governmental unit that is the subject of a public record; or If the person has a legal disability, a parent or legal representative of the person that is the subject of a public record. “Public record” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §4-101(j), Annotated Code of Maryland. “Subcabinet” has the meaning stated in Education Article, §7-1501, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Working day” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday, or a State holiday or service reduction day. The Executive Director shall designate an official custodian of public records for the Center. The website for the Center shall provide the name and contact information for the custodian of public records. Any person may request to inspect or copy public records of the Center. Inspection. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the custodian shall make public records of the Center available for inspection by an applicant without demanding a written request. The custodian shall require a written request if the custodian reasonably believes that: The Act or any other law may prohibit the disclosure of the public record to the applicant; or A written request will materially assist the Center in responding. Copies. If the applicant requests a copy of any public record of the Center, the custodian may require a written request. A written request shall: Contain the applicant’s name and address; Be signed by the applicant, or transmitted via email as an electronic signature; Reasonably identify, by brief description, the public record sought; and Specify an alternate format, if applicable, due to a disability. A request to inspect or copy a public record shall be addressed or directed to the custodian of the record. If the custodian is unknown, the request may be addressed or directed to the Executive Director. If the custodian decides to grant a request for inspection, the custodian shall produce the public record for inspection, without unreasonable delay, as follows: Immediately for records designated by the Center for inspection, as set forth in §B of this regulation; or If additional time is needed to retrieve the public record and conduct any necessary review, within a reasonable time period, not to exceed 30 days after the date of the request. The custodian shall designate the following public records for immediate inspection: Minutes of the Subcabinet; Minutes of the Advisory Board; Bylaws of the Subcabinet; and Bylaws of the Advisory Board. If the custodian decides to deny a request for inspection, the custodian shall: Do so within 30 days of receipt of the request; and Immediately notify the applicant of the denial. If a request is denied, the custodian shall provide the applicant, at the time of the denial or within 10 working days, a written statement setting forth: The reason for the denial; The legal authority for the denial; and Notice of the remedies available for review of the denial. If a requested public record is not in the custody or control of the custodian to whom application is made, the custodian shall, within 10 working days after receipt of the request, notify the applicant: That the custodian does not have custody or control of the requested public record; and If the custodian knows, of: The name of the custodian of the public record; and The location or possible location of the public record. With the consent of the applicant, any time limit imposed by §§A—C of this regulation may be extended for an additional period of up to 30 days. Unless prohibited by law, the custodian may provide notice of a request for inspection or copying of any public record of the Center to any person who, in the judgment of the custodian, could be adversely affected by disclosure of the public record. The custodian may consider the views of the possibly affected person before deciding whether to disclose the public record to an applicant. If a requested public record of the Center is in the custody and control of the person to whom the application is made but is not immediately available for inspection or copying, the custodian shall promptly: Notify the applicant that the public record is not immediately available; and Schedule a date within a reasonable time for inspection or copying. If the custodian knows that a requested public record of the Center has been destroyed or lost, the custodian shall promptly: Notify the applicant that the public record is not available; and Explain the reasons why the public record cannot be produced. If the custodian denies a request to inspect or copy a public record of the Center, the applicant may file an action for judicial enforcement under General Provisions Article, §4-362, Annotated Code of Maryland, without pursuing the remedies set forth in §§B and C of this regulation. If the custodian charges a fee of more than $350 under Regulation .15 of this chapter, the applicant may, within 90 days after the date the fee is imposed, file a written complaint with the State Public Information Act Compliance Board under General Provisions Article, §4-1A-05(a), Annotated Code of Maryland. The applicant and the custodian each may contact the Public Access Ombudsman to resolve, under General Provisions Article, Title 4, Subtitle 1B, Annotated Code of Maryland, a dispute relating to requests for public records. Denial Pending Court Order. If, in the opinion of the Executive Director, disclosure of a public record of the Center otherwise subject to disclosure under the Act would do substantial injury to the public interest, the Executive Director may temporarily deny the request to obtain a court order allowing nondisclosure. A temporary denial shall be in writing. Circuit Court Review. Within 10 working days after the denial, the Executive Director shall apply to the appropriate circuit court for an order permitting continued denial or restriction of access. Notice of the Executive Director’s complaint, on behalf of the Center, shall be served on the applicant in the manner provided for service of process under the Maryland Rules. Except as provided in §§B and C of this regulation, the fee schedule for copying and certifying copies of public records of the Center is as follows: For each copy made by a photocopying machine within the Center, 25 cents per page; For each copy made other than by a photocopying machine within the Center, the actual cost of reproduction; and For certification as a true copy of a public record, an additional fee of $1 per page or, if appropriate, per item. Minimum Fee. A charge may not be made if the total fee is $1 or less. If the fee for copies or certified copies of any public record of the Center is specifically set by a law other than the Act or this regulation, the custodian shall charge the prescribed fee. If the custodian cannot copy a public record within the Center, the custodian shall make arrangements for the prompt reproduction of the record at public or private facilities outside the Center. The custodian shall: Collect from the applicant a fee to cover the actual cost of reproduction; or Direct the applicant to pay the cost of reproduction directly to the facility making the copy. Before copying a public record of the Center, the custodian shall estimate the cost of reproduction and either: Obtain the agreement of the applicant to pay the cost; or Require prepayment of the cost. Except as provided in §G of this regulation the custodian may charge a reasonable fee for time that an official or employee of the Center spends to: Search for requested public records; or Prepare public records for inspection and copying. The custodian may not charge a search or preparation fee for the first 2 hours that an official or employee of the Center spends to respond to a request for public records. The Center may charge a reasonable hourly fee based on the actual cost to the Center for staff services for additional time required to search for or prepare public records for inspection and copying. Waiver or Reduction of Fee. The custodian may waive or reduce any fee under this regulation if: The applicant requests a waiver; and The custodian determines that the waiver or reduction is in the public interest. In making a decision under this section, the custodian shall consider, among other relevant factors, the ability of the applicant to pay the fee. If the applicant requests that copies of a public record be mailed or delivered to the applicant or to a third party, the custodian may charge the applicant for the actual cost of postage or delivery, and the cost of any electronic media used to provide the copies. The Center shall notify the applicant of the scope of responsive documents and fee associated with fulfilling the request no later than 30 days after receiving applicant’s request. An applicant may inspect any public record of the Center that the applicant is entitled to inspect during the normal working hours of the Center. The inspection shall occur where the public record is located, unless the custodian, after taking into account the applicant’s expressed wish, determines that another place is more suitable and convenient. The applicant shall have 30 days from receipt of the Center’s notification set forth in §A of this regulation to schedule the inspection of the responsive documents, make arrangements for copying of the documents, and/or remit payment to the Center. After the expiration of the 30-day period set forth in §D of this regulation, if the applicant has failed to schedule the inspection, make arrangements for copying of the documents, remit payment, or otherwise communicate with the Center, the request shall be closed. Education Article, §7-1503(g); General Provisions Article, §4-101, et seq.; Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 312) This chapter sets out procedures under which a person in interest may request the correction or amendment of public records of the Maryland Center for School Safety. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Act” means the Public Information Act, General Provisions Article, §§4-101—4-601, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Center” means the Maryland Center for School Safety. “Custodian” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §4-101(d), Annotated Code of Maryland. “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Maryland Center for School Safety, as set forth in Education Article, §7-1502(d), Annotated Code of Maryland. “Person in interest” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §4-101(g), Annotated Code of Maryland. “Public record” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §4-101(j), Annotated Code of Maryland. A person in interest may request that the Center correct or amend any public record that: The Center keeps; and The person in interest is authorized to inspect. A person in interest shall make a request to correct or amend a public record in writing. The request shall: Identify the public record to be corrected or amended; State the precise correction or amendment requested; State the reason for the correction or amendment; and Include a statement that, to the best of the requester’s belief, the public record is inaccurate or incomplete. A request to correct or amend a public record shall be addressed to the custodian of the record. If the custodian is unknown, the request shall be addressed to the Executive Director. The Center shall accept a request to correct or amend a public record when it is received if it reasonably complies with Regulations .04 and .05 of this chapter. If the request does not reasonably comply with Regulations .04 and .05 of this chapter, the Center shall return the request to the requestor with: An explanation of the reason for the return; and A statement that, on receipt of a request that reasonably complies with Regulations .04 and .05 of this chapter, the request will be accepted. Within 30 days after the Center receives a request for the correction or amendment of a public record that reasonably complies with Regulations .04 and .05 of this chapter, the custodian shall: Make the requested correction or amendment, and inform the requester in writing of the action; or Inform the requester in writing that the Center will not: Make the requested correction or amendment, and the reason for the refusal; or Act on the request because: The requester is not a person in interest; The requester is not authorized to inspect the record; or Of any other reason authorized by law. If the Center refuses to make a requested correction or amendment, a person in interest may file with the Center a concise statement of the reasons for: The requested correction or amendment; and The person’s disagreement with the refusal of the Center to make the correction or amendment. The statement submitted under Regulation .08 of this chapter shall: Be on pages not larger than 8-1/2 x 11 inches; Use only one side of each page; and Consist of not more than five pages. If a person in interest files a statement of disagreement concerning a public record under Regulations .08 and .09 of this chapter, the Center shall provide a copy of the statement whenever the Center discloses the public record to a third party. A person may request administrative review under this regulation if the Center: Has refused the person’s request to correct or amend a public record under Regulation .07 of this chapter; Has rejected the person’s statement of disagreement under Regulation .08 of this chapter; or Has not provided a statement of disagreement to a third party under Regulation .10 of this chapter. A request for review shall be filed with the Executive Director within 30 days after the requester is advised of the Center’s action. The review proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with General Provisions Article, Title 4, Subtitle 1A, 1B, or 3, Annotated Code of Maryland. Education Article, §7-1503(g); General Provisions Article, §4-502; Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 312) In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Center” means the Maryland Center for School Safety. “School resource officer” has the meaning stated in Education Article, §7-1501(j), Annotated Code of Maryland. “School safety coordinator” means an individual or individuals in a school system, regardless of job title, who serve as: The head of safety or security for the school system; or The liaison between the Center, local law enforcement, and the local school system as required under Education Article, §7-1508(a), Annotated Code of Maryland. School Security Employee. “School security employee” has the meaning stated in Education Article, §7-1501(k), Annotated Code of Maryland. School security employee includes individuals: Employed by a local school system, either as salaried or contractual employees, to provide safety or security-related services at a public school; or Assigned to a public school, whose job description includes safety or security related services as part of the individual’s primary duties. School security employee does not include: A school resource officer; Local law enforcement providing supplemental coverage to local school systems; An employee of the school system not assigned to work in an individual public school as part of their duties; or A school administrator. The Center shall certify a school safety coordinator upon completion of the following training: The Center’s curriculum for school safety coordinators and any annual updates; The National Incident Management System, Incident Command System, independent study courses 100, 200, 700, and 800; and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) independent study course, Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools. Supplemental Instruction. A school safety coordinator shall complete an additional 4 hours of supplemental instruction annually in content areas approved by the Center to maintain certification. A request for enrollment in a particular course of supplemental instruction shall be made by the school safety coordinator to the Center in advance of enrollment in a course to ensure that the course is approved. Retroactive requests for approval of a particular course to maintain certification by the Center shall be denied. A school safety coordinator shall submit certificates of completion to the Center within 30 days of completion of the coursework. A school resource officer or school security employee shall complete the Center’s model curriculum or an approved local training, as required under Education Article, §7-1508, Annotated Code of Maryland. A school resource officer or school security employee assigned or hired after the start of the school year will register and complete the model curriculum prior to the next school year and may begin work in a school: Following notification to the Center; and Following completion of the preliminary curriculum prescribed by the Center. School resource officers and school security employees shall complete additional hours of training annually in content areas approved by the Center, including: Updated legislative and regulatory changes affecting the work of school resource officers and school security employees; Expanded training in existing content areas; Any training identified or approved by the Center; or Any other mandates under State, federal, or local law. Each year, the local school superintendent shall certify to the Center’s Executive Director that school security employees assigned to the jurisdiction’s schools have completed the training required under this chapter. Education Article, §§7-151(k), 7-1503(g), and 7-1508, Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: August 24, 2020 (47:17 Md. R. 797) Regulation .01B amended effective December 11, 2023 (50: 24 Md. R. 1042) Regulation .02 amended effective December 11, 2023 (50: 24 Md. R. 1042) Regulation .03 amended effective December 11, 2023 (50: 24 Md. R. 1042) Pursuant to Education Article, §7-1510(g), Annotated Code of Maryland, each local school system shall promptly inform the Maryland Center for School Safety of any critical life-threatening incidents that occur on school grounds. The provisions of this chapter apply during school hours, inclusive of after-school activities and school-sanctioned events on school grounds and while transporting students. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. Critical, life-threatening incident means an event which: Results in an individual being charged with a threat of mass violence directed at a school under Criminal Law Article, §3-1001, Annotated Code of Maryland; Meets the criteria for a threat of mass violence but does not result in criminal charges due to the age limitation under Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, §3-8A-03(f), Annotated Code of Maryland; or Occurs on school grounds and: Results in death or serious bodily injury; or Requires activation of a school’s emergency plans and substantially disrupts the normal or orderly operation of a school. School grounds means: The premises where the school is located and operated, including all buildings, physical structures, and real property owned or leased by the local school system for the operation of a school; School transportation vehicles either owned by or contracted for by the local school system for the purposes of student transportation; and Locations used for school sponsored activities or approved by the school or school system for attendance of students as part of a field trip. “Serious bodily injury” means an injury inflicted on another individual that results in: A substantial risk of death; Extreme physical pain; Protracted and obvious disfigurement; or Protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §1365(h)(3). A local school system experiencing a critical, life-threatening incident shall notify the Center of the incident as soon as practicable, but no later than 24 hours after the local school system knew or should have known that this was a critical, life-threatening incident or received notice that the individual was charged under Criminal Law Article, §3-1001, Annotated Code of Maryland. The local school system or the Center will determine when an incident substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a school. The local school system shall hold the after-action meeting and review required pursuant to Education Article, §7-1510(g)(2)(ii), Annotated Code of Maryland, within 45 days of the occurrence of the incident. The after-action meeting participants shall include: Center staff; School safety coordinator; Representatives from the school or school system involved in the response to or recovery from the incident; and Representatives from responding agencies. The local school system shall file the report required by Education Article, §7-1510(g)(2)(iii), Annotated Code of Maryland, as soon as practicable following completion of the after-action meeting set forth in §C of this regulation, but no later than 100 days after the occurrence of the incident. The after-action report shall be submitted on a form developed by the Center and address: The scope of the incident; The response to the incident; Lessons learned by the local school system from the incident response and recovery; and Any other information identified by the Center as necessary in order to adequately assess the incident. The Center shall file the report required under Education Article, §7-1510(g)(3), Annotated Code of Maryland: Within 45 days of receiving the report from the local school system; or Within 45 days of the expiration of the filing deadline set forth at §E of this regulation. The Center shall develop guidelines for local school systems to complete reports required by this regulation. Education Article, §§7-1503(g) and 7-1510(g), Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: March 9, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 312) Regulation .03B amended effective December 11, 2023 (50:24 Md. R. 1043) Regulation .04 amended effective December 11, 2023 (50:24 Md. R. 1043) In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Center” means the Maryland Center for School Safety. “Emergency summary report” is the report required pursuant to Education Article, §7-1510(f), Annotated Code of Maryland. “Incidents of force report” is the report required pursuant to Education Article, §7-1508(h), Annotated Code of Maryland. “School emergency plan” has the meaning stated in Education Article, §7-1501(i), Annotated Code of Maryland, and is required pursuant to Education Article, §7-1510(d) and (e), Annotated Code of Maryland. “School safety evaluation” means the facility assessments required pursuant to Education Article, §7-1510(a) and (b), Annotated Code of Maryland. “School resource officer and adequate coverage report” is the report required pursuant to Education Article, §7-1508(c) and (e), Annotated Code of Maryland. Emergency Summary Report. By August 1 each year, local school systems shall submit to the Center the required emergency summary report. Incidents of Force Report. By August 1 each year, local school systems and law enforcement agencies providing school resource officers shall submit to the Center to required incidents of force report. School Emergency Plans. Local school systems shall: Annually review and update each public school emergency plan; and By September 30 every 2 years, submit copies of each public school emergency plan to the Center. School Safety Evaluations. Local school systems shall: Complete a facility safety evaluation for each public school every 2 years; and By September 30 every 2 years, submit an aggregated summary of evaluation findings to the Center following the completion of the reviews. School Resource Officer and Adequate Coverage Report. By September 1 each year, local school systems shall submit to the Center the required school resource officer and adequate coverage report. Education Article, §7-1503(g)(12), Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: September 2, 2024 (51:17 Md. R. 777)