Schools must share criminal records about enrolled students – Conduit Street

Following approval of an emergency action by the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE), education officials are now required to release information if a student has committed a reportable crime.

During Tuesday’s MSBE meeting, board members voted to approve an emergency update to COMAR that requires school officials to be notified if a student charged with a serious crime seeks to enroll at their facility. The order specifically requires that principals notify the principal and security officer of the exact location, as well as the principal of another school district, if the child transfers. The same mandate is required if the student transfers to a non-public major.

From the State Superintendent’s letter to local education authorities:

Effective immediately upon notification to the prosecutor or law enforcement authorities of a student arrested for a reportable offense or an offense related to the student’s membership in a criminal organization (MD. Code, Education §7-303). The school principal will immediately inform the school principal and, in the case of schools that have a school safety officer, the school safety officer.

In addition, if the elimination of the reportable offense involved a felony conviction or adjudication, or the criminal charge or criminal complaint is still pending, a local school superintendent or superintendent must provide the information received pursuant to the Reportable Crimes Ordinance (COMAR 13A). transmit. 01/08/17 School Use of Reportable Crimes) as a confidential file to the local superintendent of another public school system or to another nonpublic school in the state in which the student has enrolled or transferred to carry out the purposes of this regulation.

In addition, school leaders will ensure that all records of a student enrolled in your local education agency for a reportable offense since the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year who transfers to another public or non-public school system are submitted in a confidential file in the state.

Watch the full MSBE meeting and view the agenda.