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Critical Life-Threatening Event Reporting Requirements

Pursuant to Maryland Ann. Code Ed. Art.§  7-1510(g)​, Maryland public schools are required to report to MCSS with 24 hours when a critical life-threatening (CLT) incident occurs on school grounds. 

COMAR 14.40.05 A critical, life-threatening incident means an event which;

  • Results in an individual being charged with a threat of mass violence directed at a school under Criminal Law Article, §3-1001, Annotated Code of Maryland;
  • Meets the criteria for a threat of mass violence but does not result in criminal charges due to the age limitation under Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, §3-8A-03(f), Annotated Code of Maryland; or
  • Occurs on school grounds and: (i) Results in death or serious bodily injury; or (ii) Requires activation of a school’s emergency plans and substantially disrupts the normal or orderly operation of a school.

School grounds means; 

  • (a) The premises where the school is located and operated, including all buildings, physical structures, and real property owned or leased by the local school system for the operation of a school;
  • (b) School transportation vehicles either owned by or contracted for by the local school system for the purposes of student transportation; and
  • (c) Locations used for school sponsored activities or approved by the school or school system for attendance of students as part of a field trip.

"Serious bodily injury" means an injury inflicted on an individual that results in:

  • (a) substantial risk of death;
  • (b) Extreme physical pain;
  • (c) Protracted and obvious disfigurement; or
  • (d) Protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §1365(h)(3).

The diagram below outlines the steps and timeframes involved in the CLT reporting process. 

representative of timelines and requirements for a CLT