SENATE DOCKET, NO. 810        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 348

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael F. Rush

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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 parental notification in public schools .

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 810        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 348

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 parental notification in public schools .

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

Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended in Section 48A in line 1 by inserting before the word “School”, the following:- “(a)” 

Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended in Section 48A by inserting in line 22 after the word “section”, the following:- 

(b) Parental Notification of Law Enforcement Action on School Grounds 

Section 1. Definitions

For the purpose of this section the following words shall have the following meanings 

"School grounds", the real property comprising an active and operational elementary or secondary school during the regular hours in which school is in session and when students are present. 

''School resource officer'', a duly sworn municipal police officer with all necessary training, up-to-date certificates, including special school resource officer certification as required by subsection (b) of section 3 of chapter 6E or a special officer appointed by the chief of police charged with: (i) providing law enforcement; (ii) promoting school safety and security services to elementary and secondary public schools; and (iii) maintaining a positive school climate for all students, families and staff.  

Section 2.

If local or state law enforcement is called to school grounds to make arrests or engage in activity to ensure the safety of students or faculty beyond the regular duties undertaken by that school’s school resource officer, the principal of that school or superintendent of that school district or a designee of said principal or superintendent shall make a report by mail, electronic mail, or phone call of the incident to the parents of students who attend the school within twenty-four hours of the initial call to law enforcement. This report shall include the following information: 

i.) The time at which law enforcement was called to the school. 

ii.) The reason for which law enforcement was called, omitting any information which could be used to identify specific students or faculty. 

iii.) The time at which law enforcement officers left school grounds. 

The report shall not include any information which could be used to identify any specific student or faculty member of the school. 

Section 3.

This Section shall not limit the authority of a law enforcement officer to make an arrest on school grounds. This Section shall not delay action by law enforcement officers in circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to believe that urgent and immediate action is necessary to do any of the following: 

i.) Prevent bodily harm or injury to the student or any other person

ii.) Apprehend an armed or fleeing suspect

iii.) Prevent the destruction of evidence

iv.) Address an emergency or other dangerous situation

(c.) This Act shall take effect upon passage.