Education

SB 810 prohibits public school security personnel (including school resource officers, security employees, and certain off-duty officers providing school coverage) from engaging in federal immigration enforcement or sharing student/employee information for immigration purposes. The bill specifically bans using school staff for Section 287(g) federal immigration investigations and restricts sharing educational or personnel records related to immigration enforcement, except when presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or legal order. School security personnel must immediately contact the county superintendent and legal counsel if shown such legal documents. This law directly affects all Maryland public schools and their security staff, taking effect July 1, 2026, and aligns with existing privacy laws.

This bill requires Maryland county school boards to submit detailed justifications and cost comparisons before entering into service contracts, including proof that they explored alternatives and a plan to assist employees who might lose their jobs. It mandates that contracts demonstrate at least 20% savings compared to using school employees, while accounting for all direct and indirect costs, and subjects contracts to public audits for compliance. Additionally, the bill directs the State Department of Education to create a new professional development system for paraeducators and support staff by July 2027, requiring paid training during school hours that includes collaboration with teachers, crisis prevention, and job skills training. County boards must then implement this system for all support professionals in their districts, with the department providing guidance on the program's specifics.

HB 1341 prohibits public school security personnel - including school resource officers, security employees, and certain law enforcement officers - from engaging in federal immigration enforcement or sharing student/employee records for immigration purposes. The bill requires security staff to immediately contact school officials if presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or legal order for immigration-related information. It amends Maryland's Education Code to clarify that school security cannot be used for immigration investigations under federal §287(G) and must comply with state privacy laws. This directly affects school security staff and protects students, employees, and their families from immigration enforcement activities within public schools.