Maryland Center for School Safety

The meeting included discussions on the Handle with Care Program changes, focusing on the transition of administrative responsibilities to the Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). There were updates on the completion of MCSS requirements for active assailant drill laws, including the dissemination of lockdown drill surveys and the Maryland Safe Gun Storage document. Legislative bills of interest were shared, covering topics such as the Safe Schools Fund, school bus safety, student cellular phone use policies, and the task force on loneliness and isolation. The School Resource Officer of the Year program was introduced, and updates were provided on the SRO and SSE Training Academy.

The meeting included updates from MCSS, discussion of the PREPARE 2024 conference, and updates on the 2024 Legislative Session. Legislative updates included discussion of House Bill 416 and Senate Bill 432 regarding active shooter safety drills and trainings, and House Bill 472 regarding the School Mapping Data Program. Senate Bill 756, related to School Safety Student Well-Being Policies and Funding, and Senate Bill 127, related to firearm detection platforms, were also discussed.

The meeting included updates from the Executive Director, discussion of PREpare 2025, statewide tabletop exercises, Safe Schools Fund Grant FY 2026 applications, House Bill 416 (2024) LEA requirements for the 2025-2026 school year, the status of the House Bill 782 (2025) study, and after-action summaries from the 2024-2025 school year. The conference featured speakers who addressed turning pain into purpose, cyber enticements and their dangers, lessons learned in lockdown, and the Wooten High School manifesto threat of affliction. The meeting also highlighted the SRO of the Year award and Stop the Bleed training.

The meeting included updates from the Executive Director, a review of the annual bylaw, a legislative wrap-up, and a fiscal year update. Key discussion points included the SRO/SSE Training Academy, the implementation of House Bill 416, and the execution of the School Safety Leadership Academy pilot. The subcabinet also discussed a study on detecting deadly weapons in public middle and high schools, and the allocation of funds for the School Facility Mapping Grant.

The meeting included updates from the Executive Director on budget hearings, the comprehensive approach to school safety, the Digital School Facility Maps Grant, and cyber security efforts. There was also a discussion on tabletop exercises, the School Safety Leadership Academy, and the PREPARE 2025 conference. The Handle with Care Program was transferred to the Maryland Center for School Safety and the State Department of Education, with plans to enhance the program. Active assailant drill requirements were reviewed, including guidelines, research partnerships, and survey results. Legislative interests were discussed, including bills related to the Safe Schools Fund Grant, school bus safety, student cellular use, loneliness and isolation, emergency plans, and weapons detection systems. The School Resource Officer of the Year Award was introduced, and updates were provided on the SRO/SSE Training Academy.