Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB685: State Department of Education - Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Model Response Policy - Requirements
Status: Signed into law, May 26, 2026
Requiring the State Department of Education to develop a model sexual abuse and sexual misconduct response policy that includes, at minimum, a communications plan, an e-mail and other electronic communication documents retention policy, a requirement to link to a centralized resource platform, and an after-action review plan; requiring each local school system to adopt a response policy based on the model policy by September 1, 2027, and post in a conspicuous place on its website a link to a certain centralized resource platform; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Local School Systems State Department of Education - Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct - Misconduct Model Response Policy and After-Action Review - Requirements FOR the purpose of requiring the State Department of Education to develop a model sexual abuse and sexual misconduct response policy that includes, at minimum, certain components; requiring each local school system to adopt a certain response policy, provide certain notices in a certain manner, and conduct a certain after-action review under certain circumstances and post a certain link on its website…
From the enrolled text, June 3, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Local School Systems State Department of Education - Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct - Misconduct Model Response Policy and After-Action Review - Requirements FOR the purpose of requiring the State Department of Education to develop a model sexual abuse and sexual misconduct response policy that includes, at minimum, certain components; requiring each local school system to adopt a certain response policy, provide certain notices in a certain manner, and conduct a certain after-action review under certain circumstances and post a certain link on its website; and generally relating to sexual abuse and sexual misconduct response policies. BY adding to Article - Education Section 4-148 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Education 4-148. (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. (2) "CREDIBLE ALLEGATION" MEANS A SPECIFIC AND PLAUSIBLE REPORT OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT OR SEXUAL ABUSE, MADE BY A PERSON WITH APPARENT KNOWLEDGE, BY A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE OR CONTRACTOR OR VOLUNTEER THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO WARRANT TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE ACTION BY THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. (3) "RESPONSE RESPONSE POLICY" MEANS A SEXUAL ABUSE AND MISCONDUCT RESPONSE POLICY. (4) "SERIOUS INCIDENT" MEANS AN EVENT THAT POSES A SUBSTANTIAL THREAT TO A …