The Montgomery County Council is considering a change to existing law that could bar people from county facilities, including libraries and public transit, for up to two years for disruptive behavior. Currently, someone who engages in disruptive behavior in county-owned buildings can be barred for up to 90 days.
According to existing county law, disruptive behavior is described as “acting in a manner that a reasonable person would find disrupts the normal functions being carried on at that public facility, or engaging in conduct that is specifically prohibited by a notice conspicuously posted at that public facility.” The law also prohibits “conduct that poses a danger to the person engaging in the conduct or to others.”
County Executive Marc Elrich submitted the legislation, Bill 37-26, to the council. At Tuesday’s council hearing, Council President Natali Fani-González made clear that she was introducing the bill as required by county process, not because she supports it…