Chapter 019
2017 -- S 0022
Enacted 06/19/2017

A N   A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Lynch Prata, DaPonte, Goodwin, and Satchell
Date Introduced: January 18, 2017

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 § 16-21-23 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. 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.
========
LC000713
========