Maryland hearing pits school safety proposals against due-process, disability and racial-equity concerns

House Ways and Means Committee members heard two linked bills on Jan. 23 that would remove students from in‑person classrooms when they are suspects (House Bill 68) or charged (House Bill 137) with a crime of violence.

Supporters said the measures are intended to protect students and staff after incidents in which individuals later accused of serious crimes remained in school buildings during investigations. Delegate Nino Mangione, sponsor, said the bills aim to prevent “a catastrophic” repeat of past failures and that students removed would receive alternative education.

The bills would apply to crimes defined in Maryland's list of crimes of violence. Mangione said the laws are meant to create “a clear and present danger” safeguard and insisted education would continue via alternative programming for excluded students.

Opponents — including the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, Disability Rights Maryland, the ACLU of Maryland, the Public Justice Center and education‑support organizations — urged unfavorable reports. They argued current state law (the reportable‑offense statute)…