Section 7-129 - Purple Star Schools Program(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.(2) "Military-connected student" means a student who is a dependent of: (i) A current member of:1. The United States military serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard on active duty;2. The Maryland National Guard or the National Guard of any other state; or3. A reserve force of the United States military; or(ii) A member of a military or reserve force described in item (i) of this paragraph who was killed in the line of duty.(3) "Program" means the Purple Star Schools Program.(b)(1) There is a Purple Star Schools Program.(2) The purpose of the Program is to recognize public schools that provide strong services and support for military-connected students and their families when, as a result of military service, a military-connected student transfers schools.(c)(1) The Department shall administer the Program.(2) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Department shall designate a public school as a Purple Star School if the school applies and meets the criteria adopted by the Department for a Purple Star School.(d) At a minimum, the Department's criteria for a Purple Star School shall require a public school to: (1) Designate a staff member as a military liaison, whose duties shall include: (i) Identifying military-connected students who are newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled at the school;(ii) Serving as the point of contact between the school and newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled military-connected students and their families;(iii) Determining appropriate school services available to newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled military-connected students;(iv) Assisting in coordinating school programs for newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled military-connected students; and(v) Generally aiding with a military-connected student's transition to a new school;(2) Establish on the school's website an easily accessible webpage that includes resources for military-connected students and their families, including information regarding: (i) Relocation to, enrollment at, registration at, and transferring records to the school;(ii) Academic planning, course sequences, and advanced classes available at the school; and(iii) Counseling and other support services available for military-connected students transitioning into the school;(3) Maintain a transition program led by students, if appropriate, that assists military-connected students enrolled at the school; and(4) Offer professional development for staff members on issues related to military-connected students transferring to new schools.(e) A public school may partner with the county board to fulfill the Department's criteria to qualify as a Purple Star School.(f) The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out this section.Amended by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 27,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2024.Amended by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 26,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2024.Added by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 66, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2022.Added by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 65, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2022.