Protecting children

Legislators are considering an update to criminal law that would expand the definition of a “person in a position of authority” within the context of sexual offenses with a minor. Del. Sara Love, a Montgomery County Democrat and one of the bill’s sponsors, said the legislation closes a loophole that excludes adults who often work closely with children outside of traditional educational settings.

Under current law, a person in a position of authority includes a principal, vice principal, teacher, coach or school counselor at a public or private preschool, elementary school or secondary school. The new definition would include employees over the age of 20 working for a unit of local, state or federal government, school, child care facility, religious institution, a day or overnight camp, after-school program, or a commercial or nonprofit instructional program.

“[It] recognizes the reality of our kids’ lives,” Love said. “They spend so much time with these adults who are not under contract with a school but are very much in positions of authority.”

Another bill that seeks to protect children is the Maryland Age Appropriate Design Code Act. The bills, cross-filed in the House and Senate, would require tech companies to design their products with children’s well-being in mind. That includes restricting data collection and profiling of children, requiring high privacy settings by default, switching off geolocation and banning techniques that encourage children to weaken their privacy protections.