Bill > H5165

This bill requires school boards or committees in cities and towns to establish a districtwide Student Safety and Behavioral Health Committee (SSBHC) with specific composition and responsibilities. The committee must include representatives from school administration (appointed by the superintendent), at least two certified staff (appointed by the local collective bargaining agent), at least two support staff (also appointed by the local collective bargaining agent), and optionally a school resource officer. The committee should strive to include staff from elementary, middle, and high school levels. The SSBHC's key responsibilities include developing comprehensive mental health support policies, ensuring policy implementation, assessing available mental health supports, discussing potential improvements, making policy recommendations, and providing an annual report to the school board about student safety, mental health, and behaviors. The committee is tasked with creating non-punitive approaches to addressing student behaviors and maintaining a stable learning environment, while working with school improvement teams and strictly prohibited from accessing personally identifiable student information. The bill will take effect immediately upon passage, aiming to enhance student support and create more holistic approaches to school safety and behavioral health.

Education

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