Bill > H3394

This bill proposes to amend existing law to establish regional school safety councils, which will be tasked with helping local school districts create comprehensive school safety plans. These plans will cover critical areas such as school building design and structural integrity, strategies for preventing violence, addressing man-made and natural disasters, and outlining how districts should respond to emergencies. The regional councils will be composed of representatives from various state agencies, including the departments of public safety, elementary and secondary education, mental health, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), which is the state agency responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness and response. These councils will be available to provide ongoing support and technical assistance to local districts, especially before, during, and after emergencies, with a focus on cost-effectiveness by utilizing existing resources and protocols whenever feasible.