Maryland § 7-306

§ 7-306.

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “restorative practices” means a communally and culturally responsive, relationship–focused student discipline model that:

            (i)    Is preventive and proactive;

            (ii)    Emphasizes building strong relationships and setting clear behavioral expectations that contribute to the well–being of the school community;

            (iii)    In response to behavior that violates the clear behavioral expectations that contribute to the well–being of the school community, focuses on accountability for any harm done by the problem behavior; and

            (iv)    Addresses ways to repair the relationships affected by the problem behavior with the voluntary participation of an individual who was harmed.

        (2)    “Restorative practices” may include:

            (i)    Conflict resolution;

            (ii)    Mediation;

            (iii)    Peer mediation;

            (iv)    Circle processes;

            (v)    Restorative conferences;

            (vi)    Social emotional learning;

            (vii)    Trauma–informed care;

            (viii)    Positive behavioral intervention supports; and

            (ix)    Personal accountability.

    (b)    Notwithstanding any bylaw, rule, or regulation made or approved by the State Board, a principal, vice principal, or other employee may not administer corporal punishment to discipline a student in a public school in the State.

    (c)    The State Board shall:

        (1)    Establish guidelines that define a State code of discipline for all public schools with standards of conduct and consequences for violations of the standards;

        (2)    On request, provide technical assistance and training to county boards regarding the use of restorative practices, including technical assistance in becoming a Restorative Practices School in accordance with § 7–306.1 of this subtitle; and

        (3)    Assist each county board with the implementation of the guidelines.

    (d)    (1)    Subject to the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, each county board shall adopt regulations designed to create and maintain within the schools under its jurisdiction the atmosphere of order and discipline necessary for effective learning.

        (2)    The regulations adopted by a county board under this subsection:

            (i)    Shall provide for educational and behavioral interventions, restorative practices, counseling, and student and parent conferencing;

            (ii)    Shall provide alternative programs, which may include in–school suspension, suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary measures that are deemed appropriate; and

            (iii)    Shall state that the primary purpose of any disciplinary measure is rehabilitative, restorative, and educational.

    (e)    (1)    On or before October 1 each year, the Department shall submit to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, a student discipline data report that includes a description of the uses of restorative practices in the State and a review of disciplinary practices and policies in the State.

        (2)    The Department shall disaggregate the information in any student discipline data report prepared by the Department by race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, eligibility for free or reduced price meals or an equivalent measure of socioeconomic status, English language proficiency, and type of discipline for:

            (i)    The State;

            (ii)    Each local school system; and

            (iii)    Each public school.

        (3)    Special education–related data in any report prepared under this subsection shall be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender.

    (f)    (1)    In this subsection, “alternative school discipline practice” means a discipline practice used in a public school that is not an in–school suspension or an out–of–school suspension.

        (2)    The Department shall collect data on alternative school discipline practices in public schools for each local school system, including:

            (i)    The types of alternative school discipline practices that are used in a local school system; and

            (ii)    The type of misconduct for which an alternative discipline practice is used.