2022 Maryland Statutes
Education
Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education
Title 7 - Public Schools
Subtitle 15 - Maryland Safe to Learn Act
Section 7-1507 - Model Policy for Assessment Teams

    (a)    On or before September 1, 2018, the Subcabinet shall develop a model policy for the establishment of an assessment team or teams in each local school system.

    (b)    The model policy developed under subsection (a) of this section shall include:

        (1)    Mechanisms for identifying individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of an individual attending or working in a public school;

        (2)    Mechanisms for the assessment of student behavior and interventions if student behavior poses a threat to the safety of an individual attending or working in a public school;

        (3)    Mechanisms for the assessment of the behavior of an individual who is not a student at a public school but who may pose a threat to the safety of an individual attending or working in the public school;

        (4)    Best practices for promoting communication and appropriate responses within a school community, including measures for:

            (i)    Training faculty, administrators, and staff to identify, properly respond to, and report threats or behaviors of concern that may pose a threat to the safety of an individual attending or working in a public school;

            (ii)    Teaching students to identify, and encouraging students to report, behaviors of concern exhibited by their peers or others that may pose a threat to the safety of an individual attending or working in a public school, including sharing thoughts about or plans for engaging in violence at the school; and

            (iii)    Increasing outreach to and the awareness of parents and guardians concerning the emotional and social health and well–being of students;

        (5)    Procedures for members of the school community or others to report behaviors of concern that may pose a threat to the safety of an individual attending or working in a public school;

        (6)    Policies regarding anonymous reporting by members of the school community or others of behaviors of concern that may pose a threat to the safety of an individual attending or working in a public school;

        (7)    Guidance for establishing an appropriate number of assessment teams within a local school system that:

            (i)    Shall coordinate among school officials and law enforcement, mental health, and other appropriate entities to monitor and respond to information about behavior, statements, or plans that may pose a threat of violence at a school; and

            (ii)    Shall include individuals with expertise in student counseling, education instruction, school administration, and law enforcement; and

        (8)    Policies for training assessment teams, including training on implicit bias and disability and diversity awareness with specific attention to racial and ethnic disparities.

    (c)    On or before September 1, 2019, each local school system shall adopt a policy for the establishment of assessment teams that is consistent with the model policy developed by the Subcabinet and includes:

        (1)    A process for regular assessment and intervention, including diversion and de–escalation, if an individual exhibits behavior that may pose a threat to the safety of another individual attending or working in a public school;

        (2)    Standards for timely response and procedures for coordination among the members of an assessment team, including referral to appropriate local law enforcement officials, the local school system, and the county superintendent of information indicating that an individual may pose a threat of violence to the school; and

        (3)    Standards and procedures for referral of an individual for evaluation, services, or treatment when appropriate.