Maryland lawmakers pass school safety bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A measure to improve school safety cleared the Maryland General Assembly on Monday, less than a month after a shooting at a high school in southern Maryland left two students dead.

The legislation would create a variety of standards and guidelines statewide. The bill would require public high schools to have either a school resource officer or plans for adequate law enforcement coverage by the upcoming school year. Other schools, such as middle and elementary schools, would need to have the plans in place for the school year that begins in 2019.

"People on both sides of the aisle came together to make this happen, and it's a big bill," Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said.

Lawmakers and Gov.