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MD SB783

MD SB783
Public Schools – Student Fights – School Investigation and Discipline


summary

Introduced
01/31/2025
In Committee
01/31/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/08/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Requiring a principal or school administration to investigate each student fight or physical struggle; prohibiting a school employee from disciplining a student who, after an investigation, more likely than not used reasonable force necessary to protect the student or to escape the attack; and requiring a principal or school administration to expunge certain documentation from a student's disciplinary record under certain circumstances.

AI Summary

This bill requires public school principals and administrators to thoroughly investigate every student fight or physical struggle that occurs. If an investigation determines that a student more likely than not used reasonable force to protect themselves or escape an attack, the school is prohibited from disciplining that student. Additionally, if a student was initially disciplined during the investigation but is later found to have acted in self-defense, the school must completely remove all documentation of that discipline from the student's record. The bill aims to protect students who use force as a last resort for self-preservation, ensuring they are not unfairly penalized for defending themselves. The legislation will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing schools with time to prepare for and implement these new investigation and disciplinary guidelines.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (16)

Last Action

Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Hearing (09:30:00 2/21/2025 ) (on 02/21/2025)

bill text


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