Sponsor seeks model policy for school responses to misconduct allegations; advocates urge support
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Summary
Sen. Don Guile presented SB 685, directing MSDE to develop a model policy for responding to allegations of ****** misconduct in schools including parent notification, trauma-informed resources and after-action reviews; an advocacy witness told the committee the bill would better support families.
Sen. Don Guile told the Ways and Means Committee that Senate Bill 685 directs the Maryland State Department of Education to develop a model policy for responding to allegations of ****** misconduct in schools. Guile said the policy would focus on three core components: parent or guardian notification, access to resources such as trauma-informed counseling and crisis centers, and an after-action review process to identify lessons learned and system improvements.
Guile said the bill grew out of a specific incident in his district and reflected stakeholder input from education and advocacy organizations. He noted the bill includes a records-retention floor (a minimum of one year for electronic records) and that stakeholders proposed an amendment to clarify the definition of electronic records. A witness from the Maryland Coalition Against ****** Assault urged a favorable report, saying parents need consistent information and resources regardless of whether allegations result in criminal prosecution.
Committee members did not take a vote during the hearing; the sponsor requested a favorable report and said he would support reasonable amendments to the bill language.
