SB17/HB101 is dead! After the Baltimore City House delegation voted to table the bill indefinitely, both the house and senate bills did not get committee hearings essentially killing any chances of the issue moving forward during this assembly session. Additionally, the opposition to the bill brought much needed attention to the issues of school discipline and school culture policies. Even further, our elected officials refused to take action on a bill not properly vetted be the entire school community. As supporters of a more open and transparent process, your voice was critical to this victory. The issue of school police carrying firearms will not go away. The FOP is now following our example and organizing support for their position. It's too late for this legislative session, but they will certainly try to bring it back next year. We must continue to make our voices heard and demand a seat at the table when issues of education and safety are at stake! Hopefully the BCPS School Board recognizes their error of excluding us and will embark on a dialogue that includes parents, teachers, staff, mental health workers and students.