Public Middle and High Schools - Student Discipline (Right to Teach Act of 2025)

SB 482, the "Right to Teach Act of 2025," allows teachers in Maryland public middle and high schools to remove disruptive students from classrooms under specific conditions. Teachers may remove students who repeatedly interfere with learning (and have documented prior incidents) or exhibit unruly, disruptive, or abusive behavior that significantly hinders classroom instruction. After removal, teachers must document the behavior, notify the principal, and send the student to the principal or guidance counselor. The bill prohibits county boards from disciplining teachers for following these procedures and prevents students removed under this law from being counted toward certain school reporting requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.