Bill > H7731

This bill strengthens school security by requiring all school districts to conduct an annual safety assessment, a change from the previous three-year requirement, and to submit their findings to a newly established Rhode Island school emergency response committee by September 1st each year. This committee, expanded to thirteen members including a representative from the Rhode Island School Resource Officer Association and two from the firearms community, will develop recommendations for school security measures, including limiting access, enhancing classroom security, and mandating armed police coverage, and will report to the General Assembly on implementation costs. Additionally, the bill establishes a separate eight-member Rhode Island school emergency response committee, which will focus on developing and reporting legislative needs for school facility security, facilitating armed security personnel, and creating a five-year plan for security measures, with both committees' meetings and documents exempt from open meeting and public records laws. Furthermore, each city and town police department will establish a rapid response team or SWAT team, trained in active shooter scenarios and equipped with specialized gear, to enhance emergency preparedness. The bill appropriates a total of $500,000 annually for both the strengthening of school security measures and the development of these rapid response teams, and will take effect upon passage.

Education

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