2018 -- H 7694

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Slater, Diaz, Serpa, and Casey

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2018

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-21-23 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-21 entitled "Health

and Safety of Pupils" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-21-23. School safety teams, school crisis response teams, and school safety

assessments.

     (a) Each school district of each town, city, and regional school department shall conduct a

school safety assessment in conjunction with local police, fire, school safety team pursuant to the

provisions of this section and any other expert said school department deems necessary. The

assessment shall examine the current status of each school building's safety and shall be

performed within thirty (30) days of passage of this act, and every three (3) years thereafter. Each

school district of each town, city, and regional school department shall submit the all hazards site

safety survey report to the Rhode Island school safety committee every three (3) years for the

committee's review and recommendations. The assessment shall be completed by November 1 of

the year mandated, and by December 31 of that year, the commissioner of elementary and

secondary education shall report to the speaker of the house, the senate president, and the

governor that such assessments have been completed. Assessments performed within a year of the

date of passage of this act shall satisfy this requirement. All meetings regarding the school safety

assessment are not subject to the open meetings law pursuant to chapter 46 of title 42, and

documents produced including, but not limited to, meeting minutes and the school safety

assessment are not subject to the access to public records law pursuant to chapter 2 of title 38.

     (b) The school committee of each town, city, and regional school department shall review

and adopt in executive session a comprehensive school safety plan regarding crisis intervention,

emergency response, and management. The plan shall be developed by a school safety team

comprised of representatives of the school committee, representatives of student, teacher, and

parent organizations, school safety personnel, school administration, and members of local law

enforcement, fire, and emergency personnel. Members of the school safety team shall be

appointed by the school committee and/or school superintendent of the town, city, or regional

school district. In creating the school safety plan, the school safety team(s) shall consult the

model school safety plan developed by the department of elementary and secondary education

pursuant to § 16-21-23.1.

     (c) The school crisis response team shall be comprised of those selected school personnel

willing to serve as members of a psychological response team to address the psychological and

emotional needs of the school community, and may seek mental health resources from the

department of elementary and secondary education. Members of the school crisis response team

may coordinate mental health services for those students and school employees affected by acts

of violence in the schools, using resources available through the department of elementary and

secondary education.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

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     This act would require that school district safety assessments be provided to the Rhode

Island school safety committee every three (3) years for review and recommendations.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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