Legal Questions

Legal Questions

Actionline

Transgender Student Protections and Educator Rights

Federal law regarding protections for transgender or gender non-conforming (TGN) students, including the right of students to designate and be referred to by their preferred names and pronouns, is currently unsettled. In 2022, Maryland solidified its educational policy prohibiting discrimination against or discipline of students, a prospective student, or their parents or guardians on the […]
Legal Questions

Actionline

A Word from Legal: IEPS and Accommodations

The list of accommodations within an IEP should only be those accommodations necessary for the child to receive a free, appropriate public education (FAPE). It is not specific enough to say something would be “beneficial;” after all, every child would benefit from smaller class sizes. In this case, the question to ask is “does the […]
Legal Questions

Actionline

Cameras in Public Schools

In recent years, most public school systems have increased the use of cameras in their school buildings. Many are placed in and around the entry/exits, common areas, gymnasiums, and hallways. There has been significant discussion and debate around this oversight and surveillance. However, most stakeholders agree that the primary purpose is student and staff safety. […]
Legal Questions

Actionline

Employers, Employees, and Marijuana

When the 2023 General Assembly passed legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in Maryland (House Bill 556/Senate Bill 516), employers hoped that the comprehensive legislation would provide clarification for both employers and employees about the param­eters of testing and the repercussions of use. Unfortunately, the bill didn’t contain any general workplace provisions for either group. The […]
Legal Questions

Actionline

What Is a Hostile Work Environment?

A hostile work environment is when the unwelcome comments or conduct based on a protected characteristic is severe and pervasive and unreasonably interferes with an employee’s work performance. In Maryland, employers are prohibited from discriminating against any person based upon the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, […]
Legal Questions

Actionline

School Safety: Responses and Resources for Educators

This article is a follow-up to the October 2022 ActionLine “A Word from Legal” column regarding the prohibition of seclusion and limits on the use of physical restraint as behavioral health interventions for students. In this article we focus on school safety and the appropriate responses and resources for educators when confronted with physical aggression […]
Legal Questions

Actionline

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization to curtail women’s rights and their status as free and equal citizens has far-reaching implications for constitutional interpretation, individual rights, and health care—all issues at the core of social studies, civics, government, and sex education classes. What and how the teacher talks about precedent […]
Legal Questions

Actionline

A New Law Addresses Behavioral Health Interventions

A bill banning seclusion and limiting when restraints may be used in public schools became law this year. This law prohibits the use of seclusion as a behavioral health intervention in public schools and limits the use of physical restraint except in certain circumstances. The definitions in the law are riddled with exceptions, making application […]
Education Support Professionals|Educator Voice|Legal Questions

Actionline

Education Support Professionals and Workload

As with many professions, the ever-changing protocols ensuring a safe and healthy environment for staff and students is overwhelming for school employees. This is particularly true with education support professionals (ESPs), especially cafeteria, custodial employees, bus drivers, and other jobs. This excess workload is seen in how the work is scheduled, the increase in the […]
Join An Event
Member Awards & Grants