Currently, there is no mandatory "Know Your Rights" education in Howard County. Students deserve to navigate life with a clear understanding of their constitutional rights - rights they’re entitled to when it comes to confrontations with ICE and other federal and local law enforcement. Without this education, many students are left unprepared for real-world situations that can be stressful, overwhelming, and oftentimes dangerous. 

We ask that William J. Barnes, the Howard County Division of Academics, and the Howard County Board of Education include "Know Your Rights" instruction in the middle and high school health curricula by the end of November 2026. This education must include, but not be limited to: 

Detailed information on key constitutional rights
Step-by-step guides on how to respond if ICE or police officers come to your door.
How to tell a judicial warrant from an administrative warrant
How to safely record and interact with federal law enforcement 
Factual, nonpartisan information that's dependable for any situation with law enforcement
Failure to administer proper education and training can result in unlawful detention in our community. Keeping students informed is the first step in keeping them safe.

This petition isn't about politics; it's about safety and the well-being of Howard County students, their families, and the community.