School Systems - Reportable Offenses - Notification of Student as Suspect

HB 198 requires law enforcement agencies to notify the State’s Attorney within 24 hours if a student (ages 5-22) is identified as a suspect in certain serious offenses - like violent crimes or specific violations listed in the bill - or if the student is no longer a suspect. The State’s Attorney must then notify the school superintendent or principal within 24 hours of receiving this update. The bill covers offenses occurring off school premises that would be felonies or crimes of violence if committed by an adult, and it mandates that schools keep this information confidential, not add it to student records, and use it only for educational support or safety. This applies to all public and nonpublic schools in Maryland, including Catholic diocesan schools.