Chapter 195 |
2019 -- H 5538 Enacted 07/15/2019 |
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 |
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: |
16-21-23.2. Threat assessment teams and oversight committees. |
(a) Each local school board or committee shall adopt written policies for the |
establishment of threat assessment teams, including the assessment of and intervention with |
individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of school staff or students consistent |
with the model policies developed by the school safety committee. Such The policies shall |
include procedures for referrals to community services or health care healthcare providers for |
evaluation or treatment when appropriate. |
(b) The superintendent of each school district shall establish a district committee charged |
with oversight of the threat assessment teams operating within the district, which may be an |
existing committee established by the district. The committee shall include individuals with |
expertise in guidance, counseling, school administration, mental health, and law enforcement. |
(c) Each district superintendent shall establish, for each school, a threat assessment team |
that shall include persons with expertise in guidance, counseling, school administration, mental |
health, and law enforcement. Threat assessment teams may be established to serve schools as |
determined by the district superintendent. Each team shall: |
(1) Provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff regarding recognition of threatening or |
aberrant behavior that may represent a threat to the community, school, or self; |
(2) Identify members of the school community to whom threatening behavior should be |
reported; and |
(3) Implement policies adopted by the local school board or committee pursuant to |
subsection (a) of this section. |
(d) Upon preliminary determination that a student poses a threat of violence or physical |
harm to self or others, a threat assessment team shall immediately report its determination to the |
district superintendent or designee. The building administrator or designee may, if appropriate, |
attempt to notify the student's parent or legal guardian. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude |
school district personnel from acting immediately to address an imminent threat. |
(e) No member of a threat assessment team shall disclose any information obtained |
pursuant to this section or otherwise use any record of an individual beyond the purpose for |
which such the disclosure was made to the threat assessment team. |
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC001723 |
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