HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                        601

6-202.

(a)  (1) On the recommendation of the county superintendent,
a county board may suspend or dismiss a teacher, principal,
supervisor, assistant superintendent, or other professional
assistant for:

(i) Immorality;

(ii) Misconduct in office. INCLUDING KNOWINGLY
FAILING TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE IN VIOLATION OF § 5-903
OF THE FAMILY LAW ARTICLE:

(iii) Insubordination;

(iv) Incompetency; [or]

(v) Willful neglect of duty; OR

(VI) KNOWINGLY FAILING TO REPORT SUSPECTED

CHILD ABUSE IN VIOLATION OF § 5-903 OF THE FAMILY LAW ARTICLE.

(2)  Before removing an individual, the county board
shall send the individual a copy of the charges against him and
give him an opportunity within 10 days to request a hearing.

(3)  If the individual requests a hearing within the
10 day period:

(i) The county board promptly shall hold a
hearing, but a hearing may not be set within 10 days after the
county board sends the individual a notice of the hearing; and

(ii) The individual shall have an opportunity
to be heard before the county board, in person or by counsel, and
to bring witnesses to the hearing.

(4)  The individual may appeal from the decision of
the county board to the State Board. In Baltimore City, this
paragraph does not apply to the suspension and removal of
assistant superintendents and higher levels.

(5)  In Baltimore City the suspension and removal of
assistant superintendents and higher levels shall be as provided
by the city charter.

(b)  Except for personnel of the Baltimore City public
schools at the level of assistant superintendent or above, this
section does not prohibit the State Board from adopting bylaws to
provide for a probationary period of employment of 2 years or
less.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall be
construed only prospectively and may not be applied or
interpreted to have any effect upon or application to any event
or happening occurring prior to the effective date of this Act.