Police Must Notify Districts of Student Drug Offenses Under New Bill
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A bill heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday would require police agencies to contact school systems when a student is arrested outside of school for possession or administration of a controlled substance. Under current Maryland state law, police agencies must inform schools when students are arrested for certain crimes; however, possession and use of controlled substances is not one of those offenses.
Currently, the list of reportable crimes in the Safe Schools Act includes murder, manslaughter, assault, rape, malicious defacing of property, carjacking and possession of firearms, the Herald Mail reports. Reports made to the school are confidential.
During the hearing, Robert Farrell, the coordinator of security, safety and risk management for Allegany County Public Schools, said that the district meets with students who commit crimes as well as their parents to help address the problem. The principal and, at times, a psychologist are involved. He said that if the school system is informed of drug-related crimes, they can get students help sooner.
Betsy Fox Tolentino, a legislative staff attorney with the state Office of the Public Defender, is opposed to the bill. She said the current law adequately addresses the need to notify school systems of serious crimes.
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