2019 -- H 5538

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LC001723

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Alzate, Mendez, Serodio, and Noret

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-21-23.2. Threat assessment teams and oversight committees.

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     (a) Each local school board or committee shall adopt written policies for the

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establishment of threat assessment teams, including the assessment of and intervention with

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individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of school staff or students consistent

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with the model policies developed by the school safety committee. Such policies shall include

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procedures for referrals to community services or health care providers for evaluation or

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treatment when appropriate.

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     (b) The superintendent of each school district shall establish a district committee charged

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with oversight of the threat assessment teams operating within the district, which may be an

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existing committee established by the district. The committee shall include individuals with

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expertise in guidance, counseling, school administration, mental health, and law enforcement.

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     (c) Each district superintendent shall establish, for each school, a threat assessment team

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that shall include persons with expertise in guidance, counseling, school administration, mental

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health, and law enforcement. Threat assessment teams may be established to serve schools as

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determined by the district superintendent. Each team shall:

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     (1) Provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff regarding recognition of threatening or

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aberrant behavior that may represent a threat to the community, school, or self;

 

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     (2) Identify members of the school community to whom threatening behavior should be

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reported; and

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     (3) Implement policies adopted by the local school board or committee pursuant to

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subsection (a) of this section.

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     (d) Upon preliminary determination that a student poses a threat of violence or physical

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harm to self or others, a threat assessment team shall immediately report its determination to the

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district superintendent or designee. The building administrator or designee may, if appropriate,

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attempt to notify the student's parent or legal guardian. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude

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school district personnel from acting immediately to address an imminent threat.

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     (e) No member of a threat assessment team shall disclose any information obtained

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pursuant to this section or otherwise use any record of an individual beyond the purpose for

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which such disclosure was made to the threat assessment team.

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     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 establish that school boards are to adopt policies for threat assessments

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and the establishment of threat assessment teams. The superintendent of each school district shall

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establish an oversight committee for the threat assessment teams.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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