2022 -- H 8333

========

LC006088

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, McLaughlin, Williams, Casimiro, C
Lima, Serpa, O'Brien, Noret, Solomon, and Casey

     Date Introduced: June 09, 2022

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-21-40. School security.

     (a) Students, faculty, staff and volunteers shall be issued photo identification cards that

shall be displayed at all times, turned in at the end of each school year and updated at the start of

each school year.

     (b) Schools shall enforce uniforms or a restricted dress code of prescribed colored shirts

and pants requiring students to dress alike and allowing for an intruder to be more easily

recognizable.

     (c) Video monitoring systems shall be used for visitor control management. All visitors

shall enter through the front door exclusively, provide and leave their photo identification at the

office or reception area, wear a visitor’s badge while inside the school building when school is in

session, and be escorted to their destination. The contents of all bags/boxes shall be inspected.

     (d) A faculty member, staff or adult volunteer shall be assigned to every point of access or

egress to the outside school grounds at any time the students are entering/leaving the building.

     (e) Video monitoring systems shall be installed in all public school buildings for a clear

view of the exterior of the school building and adjoining grounds, including the parking lots for

early detection of criminal behavior and a potential intruder.

     (f) No school building door shall be propped open without a faculty member or staff

actively monitoring the door.

     (g) The following shall be implemented to minimize/reduce contraband in schools:

     (1) Students shall use transparent schoolbags, backpacks or cases;

     (2) Students shall be prevented from wearing overly baggy clothes, which shall help

prevent concealed contraband from entering the school;

     (3) All school lockers are subject to random searches while students are in class;

     (4) All school bathrooms will be periodically searched for hidden contraband;

     (5) Schools will institute random metal detector checks;

     (6) Trained police K-9s will be used to periodically inspect schools, including restrooms,

to check for firearms, incendiary devices and other contraband.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC006088

========

LC006088 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

***

     This act would focus on increasing school security to minimize the threat of an intruder in

a school by requiring schools issue photo identification to faculty and students, use video

monitoring systems, requiring a dress code for students, and not allowing school doors to be

propped open. Additionally this act would minimize school contraband by requiring students to use

transparent schoolbags, having students not wear baggy clothes, allowing lockers to be randomly

searched, and having police k-9 units periodically inspect schools.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC006088

========

LC006088 - Page 3 of 3