(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Baltimore City School System” means the system of free public schools in Baltimore City.
(3) “Center” means the Baltimore City Alternative Learning Center.
(b) There is a Baltimore City Alternative Learning Center in the Baltimore City School System.
(c) (1) The Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners shall appoint a Director of the Center.
(2) The Director may employ a staff or retain consultants, including psychologists, social workers, guidance counselors, and teachers.
(d) (1) Except as otherwise provided in §§ 7–305(g) and 7–305.1 of this article, a student in the Baltimore City School System may be transferred to the Center if the student:
(i) Assaults a teacher, teacher’s aide, student teacher, other professional or paraprofessional school employee, or other student;
(ii) Carries a gun, rifle, knife, or other deadly weapon onto school property; or
(iii) Commits any other act that would be a crime if committed by an adult.
(2) The Director shall review recommendations for admission of students to the Center and admit or deny admission for each student based on an assessment of the student’s amenability to the services, programs, and treatment available in the Center.
(e) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a student who is admitted to the Center shall attend classes at the Center until the Director orders the student to be transferred to another school in the Baltimore City School System.
(2) A student may not attend the Center for more than one calendar year.
(f) The Director shall develop and provide the following programs within the Center:
(1) Elementary and secondary education programs;
(2) Special education programs that meet the social and emotional needs of the students at the Center and that require the participation of the parents or guardians of the students; and
(3) Vocational and rehabilitative training programs.
(g) The Chief Executive Officer shall report annually to the members of the Baltimore City Delegation in the General Assembly on the progress of the students in the Center.