2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 4 - Health and Safety of Students › Section 7-424.2 - Gangs and Gang Activity

(a)    (1)    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.
(2)    “School security officer” does not include a teacher.
(b)    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.
(c)    The model policy developed under subsection (b) of this section shall include:
(1)    A statement prohibiting gang activity in schools;
(2)    A statement prohibiting reprisal or retaliation against individuals who report suspected gang activity;
(3)    A definition of gang and gang activity;
(4)    Standard consequences and remedial actions for individuals engaged in gang activity or similar destructive or illegal group behavior;
(5)    Standard consequences and remedial actions for individuals found to have made false accusations;
(6)    Model procedures for reporting suspected gang activity or similar destructive or illegal group behavior;
(7)    Model procedures for the prompt investigation of suspected gang activity or similar destructive or illegal group behavior;
(8)    Information about the types of support services, including family support services, for a student suspected of participating in gang activity; and
(9)    Recommendations concerning gang prevention and intervention services and programs for students that maximize community participation and the use of federal funding.
(d)    (1)    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.
(2)    The policy or regulations shall address the components of the model policy specified in subsection (c) of this section.
(3)    Each local school system shall develop the policy or regulations in consultation with representatives of the following groups:
(i)    Parents or guardians of students;
(ii)    School employees and administrators;
(iii)    School volunteers;
(iv)    Students;
(v)    Local law enforcement;
(vi)    Gang prevention and intervention programs;
(vii)    The Office of the Public Defender;
(viii)    The Maryland State’s Attorneys Association; and
(ix)    Members of the community.
(e)    Each local school system shall submit its policy or regulations to the State Superintendent by September 1, 2011.
(f)    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.
(g)    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:
(1)    An educational gang awareness program for students, staff, volunteers, and parents; and
(2)    A teacher and administrator development program that trains teachers and administrators to implement the policy or regulations.
(h)    (1)    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.
(2)    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.
(i)    (1)    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.
(2)    The following individuals shall participate in the meetings described in paragraph (1) of this subsection:
(i)    School principals;
(ii)    School security officers;
(iii)    Guidance counselors;
(iv)    Local law enforcement officers;
(v)    Representatives from the county State’s Attorney’s Office;
(vi)    Representatives from the Office of the Public Defender;
(vii)    Gang prevention and intervention program representatives; and
(viii)    Any other individuals that the county superintendent considers appropriate.
(j)    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.
(k)    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.