Bill > SB714

This bill requires the Maryland State Department of Education to improve transparency and accountability in school discipline practices by mandating comprehensive data collection and publication. The bill defines "restorative practices" as a relationship-focused student discipline model that emphasizes prevention, clear behavioral expectations, accountability, and repairing relationships. Key provisions include requiring the department to disaggregate discipline-related data by various demographic factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, and socioeconomic status, and make this data publicly available in an electronic spreadsheet format on their website. The bill introduces a "risk ratio" and "state comparison threshold" of 2.0 to identify schools with disproportionate disciplinary practices, and requires schools identified as "high-suspending" (elementary schools suspending 10% or more students in a subgroup, or secondary schools suspending 25% or more) to submit plans to reduce and eliminate these disparities within one to three years. Additionally, the department must annually publish a report and action plan to support local education agencies in reducing disciplinary inequities. The bill prohibits corporal punishment and emphasizes that the primary purpose of disciplinary measures should be rehabilitative, restorative, and educational. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0714?ys=2025RS