ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                           H.B. 868

Annotated Code of Maryland

(2001 Replacement Volume and 2002 Supplement)

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

Article - Education

[26-104.

(a)     This section applies only in Baltimore City and Caroline, Dorchester,
Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.

(b)     (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.

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

(d)     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;

(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 on
public school property and are not found to be connected with criminal activity.

(e)     If an individual violates subsection (c) of this section, the school
authorities:

(1)     On a first offense, may contact a law enforcement officer; and

(2)     On a second or subsequent offense, shall immediately contact a law
enforcement officer.

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

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

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