Ch. 258 1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Section 26-104 26-104(c)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1997 Replacement Volume)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Education

26-104.

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) "Portable pager" means any device carried, worn, or transported by an
individual to receive or communicate messages.

(3) "Public school property" means the grounds of any public school.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, an individual may not
possess a portable pager on public school property.

(c) This section does not apply to:

(1) Handicapped students using portable pagers for medical reasons;

(2) Law enforcement officers;

(3) Visitors on public school property for an authorized program, meeting,
or function;

(4) Faculty or staff members employed by a county board; [and]

(5) Members of any volunteer fire department, ambulance company, or
rescue squad, who are designated to possess a portable pager on public school property by
the chief of the volunteer fire department, ambulance company, or rescue squad, and the
school principal; AND

(6) STUDENTS WHOSE PORTABLE PAGERS ARE CONTAINED IN
VEHICLES THAT ARE LAWFULLY ON PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY AND ARE NOT
FOUND TO BE CONNECTED WITH CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

(d) If an individual violates subsection (b) of this section, the school authorities
shall immediately contact a law enforcement officer, UNLESS THE STUDENT IS UNDER
AGE 7, IN WHICH CASE THE COUNTY BOARD SHALL RETAIN ABSOLUTE
DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY.

(e) A law enforcement officer contacted by school authorities in accordance with
subsection (d) of this section;

(1) Shall immediately inquire as to the reasons the individual possesses the

pager; and

(2) May arrest the violator.

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