Following a Fox45 News investigation revealing that a suspected murderer had been enrolled in two Maryland high schools without the schools being informed of his dangerous past, several state lawmakers have proposed bills aimed at enhancing student safety.
President Joe Biden will eulogize the late former President Jimmy Carter at his funeral at the Washington National Cathedral in D.C.Maryland’s 90-day legislative session is officially underway. In 2025, student safety is a top priority after a Fox45 News investigation found a suspected murderer was recently enrolled in two local high schools, and neither school was told he was dangerous.
Several legislators have already drafted bills intended to keep students safe in class, including State Delegate Mike Griffith, who represents Harford and Cecil Counties. “You believe the students at Edgewood High School and Lansdowne High School - their safety was at risk?” asked Project Baltimore’s Chris Papst. “Yes, 100%. The students around Walter Martinez were at risk,” replied Griffith. “That's obviously unbelievably concerning and something that, as a state, we need to address.” In July 2022, Walter Martinez an MS-13 gang member killed 20-year-old Kayla Hamilton in Harford County. Soon after, police identified Martinez as the primary suspect, according to charging documents. During the police investigation Martinez, who was in the country illegally as an unaccompanied minor, was placed in foster care with Child Protective Services. In September of 2024, Fox45 News first reported that while police were awaiting DNA results, Martinez was enrolled in two public high schools and neither school was informed he was a threat. Griffith told Fox45 News the purpose of his bill is to prevent the possibility of another Walter Martinez being in school with other students. Right now, Maryland law only requires schools to be notified if a student is arrested and charged with certain crimes - known as reportable offenses. Griffith’s bill does two things. First, it expands the number of reportable offenses to include additional sex crimes. Secondly, the legislation empowers state’s attorneys to alert school superintendents or their designee if a student is suspected of committing a violent felony.“We can make sure the notification is very narrow between the state's attorney and the superintendent and then give the superintendent the ability to make an informed decision to protect the students,” explained Griffith. Griffith’s bill does not mandate that state’s attorneys inform schools if a student is being investigated for a violent felony. They will have discretion, which, according to Griffith, is designed to balance and protect the due process rights of the student being investigated with the safety of students in school. “This may not be appropriate for all matters. But we need to empower the state's attorneys to make the right decisions,” said Griffith. “And if they don't, then the public's going to hold them accountable. The biggest part of this bill is to create accountability, which will then hopefully lead to more student safety.” Griffith’s bill is not the only one that’s been drafted in response to Project Baltimore’s reporting. Baltimore County Delegate Nino Mangione has filled legislation he calls, “The Student Protection Act of 2025.” Mangione’s bill would bar “children suspected of a crime of violence” from attending school “In-person” until the “investigation is complete.” Instead, a school would have to provide “alternative educational options”, such as virtual learning.“I refused to sit there and allow this type of just total mistakes, total chaos in our system,” Mangione told Project Baltimore in November 2024. Maryland Governor Wes Moore declined to comment on these two bills which have yet to be formally introduced. But back in September the Governor did say he will to working with anybody to make sure kids are safe in school. “Students need to feel safe inside of their classrooms. And when that is not happening, it has to be addressed,” explained Moore. Over the 90-day legislative session in Annapolis, Project Baltimore will be following the bills introduced by Griffith and Mangione and provide updates on any progress or pushback these bills receive
STUDENT SAFETY Maryland Legislature Fox45 News Investigation Walter Martinez Bill Gun Violence
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