Bill > A02494

This bill establishes the School Safety Specialist Act, which creates a comprehensive certification and training program for school safety specialists across New York state. The bill requires the state division to develop a certification process and training curriculum that covers a wide range of critical safety topics, including emergency preparedness, school threat assessment, mental health mediation, suicide prevention, cyberbullying, substance use awareness, and gang resistance. Public and nonpublic schools can employ these certified specialists to improve school safety, with school districts authorized to hire as many specialists as they deem necessary. The specialists will have broad responsibilities, including proposing safety policies, serving as liaisons with community agencies like law enforcement and healthcare entities, developing emergency response strategies, conducting school safety drills, creating safety plans, and providing educational and mentoring services to students. The certification program aims to provide a standardized, professional approach to school safety that addresses multiple dimensions of student and staff protection. The act will take effect 120 days after becoming law, with immediate authorization for developing necessary implementation regulations.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2494