Jeffrey Beck, a Harford County resident, urged the council on Oct. 7 to adopt a resolution asking the state legislature to amend what he described as a gap in Maryland’s reporting rules for alleged sexual assault against minors. Beck said the relevant regulation is identified in his remarks as "COMAR title 07, subtitle 02" and related chapters covering mandatory reporters.

What Beck told the council

Beck described a case from April 2023 in which a middle‑school student reported an alleged sexual assault to three school employees — the principal, a paraeducator and a social worker. He said all three failed to report the allegation to law enforcement immediately and were charged with failing to report; one pleaded guilty and received a probation before judgment (PBJ), while two other charges were dismissed because defense counsel argued the alleged attacker did not qualify as a person in a position of authority under the regulation’s listed categories.

Beck said the current rule defines mandatory reporters in categories such as parent, household member, family member, a person who has temporary care or custody, a person in supervision of the child, or someone in a position of authority, and that the statute’s current language left a loophole when the alleged perpetrator was not in one of those categories. He asked the council to pass a resolution urging the state delegation to close the gap.

Procedural note and council response

Beck said he had been told at least one member of Harford County’s state delegation is working on draft legislation to address the issue. He asked the council to go on record in support of amending the state law. The council president indicated the council could consider such a resolution and asked for the materials Beck offered to provide be sent to Council staff for follow-up.

Ending: Beck said he would forward documentation to the council and said he hopes local elected leaders will endorse statutory changes before the next General Assembly session.