A. Search of Student by Principal, Assistant Principal, or School Security Guard.

• (1) A principal, assistant principal, or school security guard of a public school may make a reasonable search of a student on the school premises or on a school-sponsored trip if the searcher has a reasonable belief that the student has in the student's possession an item, the possession of which is:
• (a) A criminal offense under the laws of this State; or
• (b) A violation of:
• (i) Any other State law; or
• (ii) A rule or regulation of the local board.
• (2) A search under § A(1) of this regulation shall be made in the presence of a third party.

B. Search of School by Principal, Assistant Principal, or School Security Guard.

• (1) A principal, assistant principal, or school security guard of a public school may make a search of the physical plant of the school and its appurtenances, including the lockers of students.
• (2) The right of a principal, assistant principal, or school security guard to search lockers of students under § B(1) of this regulation shall be announced or published previously in the school.

C. Search of Student on School-Sponsored Trip by Teacher.

• (1) A local board may authorize a teacher of a public school to make a reasonable search of a student on a school-sponsored trip if the teacher has a reasonable belief that the student has in the student's possession an item, the possession of which is:
• (a) A criminal offense under the laws of this State; or
• (b) A violation of:
• (i) Any other State law; or
• (ii) A rule or regulation of the local board.
• (2) To qualify to conduct a search under § C(1) of this regulation, a teacher shall:
• (a) Be designated in writing by a principal; and
• (b) Receive training to conduct a search commensurate with the training received by a principal.

• (3) A search under § C(1) of this regulation shall be made in the presence of a third party.

  D. Police officers shall conduct searches of students and the school premises in accordance with their established policies and procedures.

E. A school official may not conduct a search of the person of a student at the request of a police officer unless a search warrant has been issued authorizing the search.

F. Every effort shall be made to conduct searches in a manner which will minimize disruption of the normal school routine and minimize embarrassment to students affected.

(a)  Authority to search student. -- A principal, assistant principal, or school security guard of a public school may make a reasonable search of a student on the school premises or on a school-sponsored trip if the searcher has a reasonable belief that the student has in the student's possession an item, the possession of which is a criminal offense under the laws of this State or a violation of any other State law or a rule or regulation of the county board.

(b)  Authority to search student -- By teacher. --

• (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection, a county board may authorize a teacher of a public school to make a reasonable search of a student on a school-sponsored trip if the teacher has a reasonable belief that the student has in the student's possession an item, the possession of which is a criminal offense under the laws of this State or a violation of any other State law or a rule or regulation of the county board.
  • (2) To qualify to conduct a search under this subsection, a teacher shall be designated in writing by a principal and receive training to conduct a search commensurate with the training received by a principal.

(c)  Presence of third party required. -- A search under subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be made in the presence of a third party.

(d)  Authority to search school. --

• (1) A principal, assistant principal, or school security guard of a public school may make a search of the physical plant of the school and its appurtenances including the lockers of students.
• (2) The right of the school official to search the locker shall be announced or published previously in the school.

(e)  Rules and regulations. -- The Department shall adopt rules and regulations relating to the searches permitted under this section. General Assembly of Maryland