Amendment #796 to H4400

Model Emergency Response School Commission

Mr. Walsh of Peabody moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

“SECTION X. A special legislative commission, known as the Special Commission on Model School Preparedness, is hereby established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 for the purpose of making an investigation and study relative to model school emergency preparedness plans. The commission shall consist of: the chairs of the joint committee on public safety, who shall be co-chairs; 3 members of the senate, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 3 members of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader;  the commissioner of the department of public health, or a designee; the commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education, or a designee; the president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, or a designee; and 2 persons to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a school administrator and 1 of whom shall be the parent of a school age child.

The commission shall investigate and study best practices for schools to respond to fires, hurricanes, other hazardous storms or disasters in which serious bodily injury might occur, shootings, terrorist activities and bomb threats. The commission shall recommend a model plan for schools, which shall include but not be limited to: (1) establishment of a crisis response team; (2) a crisis communication plan; (3) crisis procedures for safe entrance to and exit from the school by students, parents and employees; (4) establishment of a critical incident drill program that incorporates best practices established by the federal Department of Homeland Security; and (5) policies for enforcing school discipline and maintaining a safe and orderly environment during the crisis.

Said commission shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study and its recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives on or before June 30, 2019.”