HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 64        FILED ON: 1/6/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 611

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Steven George Xiarhos

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to school safety.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 64        FILED ON: 1/6/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 611

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to school safety.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Clause Twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subclause:

(w) any policy or report by any city, town, or school district concerning the safety and security of school buildings and plans for emergency response to active shooter situations.

SECTION 2. Chapter 41 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 97D the following section:-

Section 97D½. Every city and town in the commonwealth shall establish a special telephone exchange for the reporting of threats to school buildings, which may be utilized at any hour of day or night, and shall widely publicize this number and the protocol for its usage throughout the city or town.

SECTION 3. Chapter 41 of the General Laws is hereby further amended by inserting after section 98B the following section:-

Section 98B½. (a) In any city or town that accepts the provisions of this section there shall be a school resource officer, as defined in subsection (a) of section 37P of chapter 71, assigned to each school building within such city or town, who will be present within the school building during all regular hours of instruction for the purpose of ensuring school safety and such other duties as the chief of the police department may otherwise determine from time to time. The assignment of a school resource officer shall be accompanied by a memorandum of understanding that shall comply with said section 37P of said chapter 71.

(b) The department of elementary and secondary education shall assist each school district in applying for any available funds or grants to provide support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to school buildings and school property in each school district of the commonwealth.

SECTION 4. Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2C the following section:-

Section 2C½. Each school district in the commonwealth, subject to appropriation and in coordination with the chief of the local police department, shall implement a specific policy for the training of students and staff members in the appropriate response to active shooters on school grounds. Said policy shall include, at a minimum: (i) requirements for regular training sessions for students and staff in the event of an emergency; (ii) requirements for regular audits of school buildings for safety and security by the school district and police department of the municipality in which the school is located; and (iii) recommendations for making sure every school building has a single access point, hardened locks and windows and a video surveillance system monitoring the interior and exterior public areas of the school property and connected to local police.

Annually, not later than December 31, each school district shall submit a copy of its policy, together with a report of its activities pursuant to this section, to the department of elementary and secondary education and the executive office of public safety and security for their review and comment. Annually, not later than March 1, the department of elementary and secondary education shall file a report summarizing local compliance with this section with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives; provided, that no information regarding specific plans, procedures or school buildings shall be considered a public record subject to disclosure, as defined in clause Twenty-Sixth of section 7 of chapter 4.