Board Policy 5141 - Student Registered Sex Offenders - Entry Onto School Property

I. Policy Statement

The Prince George's County Board of Education ("Board") is committed to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students. The Board is also responsible for providing an education for students who are registered sex offenders through other methods in a location other than public school property which incorporates communication regarding the provision of education services, pathways to meeting graduation requirements, and planning for transitions.

II. Purpose

The purposes of this policy are to prohibit students registered as sex offenders from entering onto school property and provide an education to students who are registered sex offenders through other methods in a location other than public school property.

III. Definition

1. Sex Offender – as defined in The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), a sex offender is a person who was convicted of a sex offense. Hence, whether an individual has a sex offense “conviction” determines whether he or she is within the minimum categories for which the SORNA standards require registration.
2. Student – an individual enrolled in a public school system or nonpublic school in the state who is 5 years of age or older and under 22 years of age.
3. School property – buildings, land that surrounds the buildings, and vehicles, that are owned or leased by the school system.

IV. Standards

A. Communication Regarding the Provision of Educational Services

1. Immediately upon becoming aware of a student who is a sex offender registrant, a meeting shall be arranged with the student and parent or guardian to advise them that:
   1. The student continues to be a student of record and is entitled to receive an education, and
   2. The student is not allowed to enter the property of any public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school.
   3. If the student has a 504 plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP), an appropriate team meeting must be expedited to determine if there are any required revisions to the 504 plan or the IEP to ensure that the student's educational needs are met and the student continues to receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

B. Pathways to Meeting Graduation Requirements

1. The student will be afforded the opportunity to meet all graduation requirements, including required assessments and student learning, with the same timeframe as other students. Alternative pathways include, but are not limited to:
   1. home and hospital teaching;
   2. virtual learning;
   3. referral to a Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA); or a
   4. Nonpublic Educational Program under specified circumstances.

C. Planning for Transition

1. School and school system administrative staff should strategically plan for the return of a student to the public-school environment who is no longer a sex offender registrant. The plan should consider the following practices:
   1. Increase communication among all stakeholders to develop strategies to:
      1. prepare the student, involved school staff, and impacted peers as appropriate for the pending return;
      2. determine appropriate interventions and supports to be implemented upon the student’s return; and monitor progress and make timely adjustments to interventions and supports to ensure the student’s success.
2. Plan for and implement specific actions to support the student's social reintegration with peers and school staff.

V. Implementation and Responsibilities

The Chief Executive Officer shall establish an Administrative Procedure implementing this policy.

VI. References

1. Legal

20 U.S.C. §§1 400 et seq.
20 U.S.C. §§ 794 et seq.
34 U.S.C. §§ 20901 et seq.
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
§ 8-406, Md. Code. Ann., Education
§ 11-722, Md. Code. Ann., Criminal Procedure COMAR 13A.08.01.17(C)

B. Other Board Policies

BP 0126 - Student Safety and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse BP 0127 - Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect

C. Relevant Data Sources

D. Other

AP 0500 – School Visitors
AP 10101 – Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

VII. History

ADOPTED: 06/23/2022

REVIEWED

AMENDED

EFFECTIVE: 06/23/2022

About This Policy

Updated July 1, 2022

Documents

• Board Policy 5141 - Student Registered Sex Offenders - Entry Onto School Property.pdf