Bill > HB488

This bill modifies Maryland's education law to enhance transparency and accountability in school discipline practices. It requires the State Department of Education to collect and publicly share detailed discipline-related data in an easily accessible electronic spreadsheet format. The bill defines "restorative practices" as a relationship-focused discipline model that emphasizes preventive approaches, clear behavioral expectations, and voluntary accountability for harm. The department must disaggregate discipline data by various factors including race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, socioeconomic status, and English language proficiency. The bill introduces a "risk ratio" and "state comparison threshold" of 2.0 to identify schools with disproportionate disciplinary impacts on minority, disabled, or non-English proficient students. For schools identified as "high-suspending" (elementary schools suspending 10% or more students in a subgroup, or secondary schools suspending 25% or more), local education agencies must submit plans to reduce and ultimately eliminate these disparities within one to three years. The department is also required to publish annual reports and action plans designed to support local agencies in reducing disciplinary disparities. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, and aim to create more equitable and supportive school discipline practices.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0488?ys=2025RS