County, State Officials Propose School Safety Legislation

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Contact: David Weaver, 301-217-6530
For Immediate Release: February 11, 1999

County, State Officials Propose
School Safety Legislation

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today joined State Senator Ida Ruben (D- Silver Spring) and Delegate Charles Barkley (D-Gaithersburg) in announcing legislation that seeks to provide greater protection for students and school employees from threats and acts of violence. The legislation, entitled the School Safety Act of 1999, would add to the list of offenses for which a police officer may make a warrantless arrest, requires police to report to school officials the names of students arrested for possession of controlled dangerous substances, bombs and explosives, and strengthens current penalties for threats made against school employees.

"We must do everything within our power to make sure our classrooms are safe, so that our children can learn and our teachers can teach," said Duncan. "The legislation being introduced today will go a long way toward achieving this simple, but important objective. Neither our children, nor the teachers who teach them, should have to fear going to school each day. I applaud Senator Ruben and Delegate Barkley for putting together this legislation that will strengthen current school safety statutes."

"The time to address these school safety issues is now, not after something terrible has happened," said Ruben. "Our current State laws do not provide educators and law enforcement officials with enough flexibility to deal with today's problems in the classroom. This legislation will."

"Times change, and so should our laws," said Barkley. "The School Safety Act of 1999 will do just that, and I am confident that the changes will effectively address the critical issues at hand."

Others joining the officials in the announcement included Montgomery County State's Attorney Douglas Gansler, School Board Vice President Patricia O'Neill, School Boardmember Nancy King and Acting Police Chief Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Evans.

As drafted, the bill amends Article 27 of the Maryland Annotated Code - Crimes and Punishments and the Education Article - and includes the following new provisions:

adds possession of penknives to the list of offenses for which police officers may make warrantless arrests while on school property;
adds crimes such as possession of controlled dangerous substances, destructive devices, and bombs and explosives to the list of reportable offenses for which police officers must notify school officials following an arrest;
prohibits threats of bodily harm made on school vehicles, at off-site locations sponsored by the school, or on property that is owned by a county board and used for administrative or other purposes;
prohibits threats resulting from workplace incidents that are made against employees of any educational institution at their home -- including those threats made in person, by telephone, or by electronic mail; and
increases the fine from $1,000 to $2,500 for threats and/or bodily harm.

Officials say the legislation was prompted by an increasing number of incidents, particularly off school property, where students or school employees were targeted by individuals.

Last fall, Duncan held a series of meetings with students, educators, parents, community representatives and law enforcement officials to discuss school safety issues. The County Executive has pledged to introduce - as part of his FY 2000 budget - a package of safety and prevention initiatives that respond to suggestions made at these forums.

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