Bill > S286

This bill aims to promote safer schools in Massachusetts by addressing the role of school resource officers (SROs) and encouraging the adoption of "holistic school health and safety practices." The key provisions are: 1. The model memorandum of understanding for SROs must specify that they cannot serve as school disciplinarians or enforce school regulations, and their involvement should be limited to incidents involving criminal conduct that poses a real and substantial threat. 2. School districts must annually report data on the costs of SROs and other security staff, the budget for mental health support, and the number of school-based arrests, citations, and other interactions between students and law enforcement. Failure to provide this data will result in the denial of SRO assignments. 3. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will provide grants to schools and districts to transition to and implement "holistic school health and safety practices" that do not rely on law enforcement presence. These practices focus on building positive relationships, supporting non-disciplinary conflict resolution, and reducing school exclusion and referrals to law enforcement. The overall goal of the bill is to promote a safer and more inclusive school environment through strategic use of law enforcement resources and an emphasis on non-punitive, community-based approaches to school safety and student well-being.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S286