N O R T H C A R O L I N A G E N E R A L A S S E M B LY HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY DRAFT REPORT TO THE 2018 SESSION of the 2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA DECEMBER, 2018 A LIMITED NUMBER OF COPIES OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE LIBRARY ROOM 500 LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27603-5925 TELEPHONE: (919) 733-9390 House Select Committee on School Safety Page 2 TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL ........................................................................................ 5 COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS ...................................................................................... 7 FINDING AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................... 11 APPENDICES APPENDIX A MEMBERSHIP OF THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY ............................................................................................................ 13 APPENDIX B COMMITTEE CHARGE/STATUTORY AUTHORITY ....................................... 15 APPENDIX C LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ................................................................................ 17 REC. 1: School Mental Health Screening Study …...………………………….. 19 REC. 2: Civic Responsibility Education ……………………………………….. 21 REC. 3: First Aid Training for All Students ………………………………….... 23 REC. 4: 2019 School Safety Grants Program ……………………………..…… 27 REC. 5: School Safety Omnibus …………………………………..…………… 31 REC. 6: Continue Study to Improve School Safety ………………………….… 43 House Select Committee on School Safety Page 3 This page intentionally left blank. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 4 TRANSMITTAL LETTER December XX, 2018 [Back to Top] TO THE MEMBERS OF THE 2018 REGULAR SESSION OF THE 2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY The HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY, respectfully submits the following report to the 2018 Regular Session of the 2017 General Assembly. Rep. David R. Lewis (Co-Chair) House Select Committee on School Safety Rep. John A. Torbett (Co-Chair) Page 5 This page intentionally left blank. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 6 COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS [Back to Top] The House Select Committee on School Safety (“Committee”) met 7 times after the 2018 Short Session of the 2017 Regular Session. The following is a brief summary of the Committee's proceedings. Detailed minutes and information from each Committee meeting are available in the Legislative Library and on the Committee’s website. August 30, 2018 The Committee held its first meeting on August 30, 2018, at the Harris Conference Center in Charlotte, NC. Susan Sitze, Committee Counsel, provided the Committee with an overview of the Committee’s actions and legislation. The Committee then heard from the following speakers: • • • • • • • • Kym Martin, Executive Director, Center for Safer Schools, provided an update on the Center for Safer Schools. Information from this presentation can be found on the Committee’s website. Jalen Lowery, Righteous Keitt, and Emma Katherine Bowers of Generation Nation, a Diverse Network of Young Civic Leaders, spoke about school safety and gun violence. Barry Graham, Town of Huntersville Assistant Police Chief. Paul Bailey, Town of Matthews Mayor. Kress Query, Town of Matthews Commissioner and Member of Mayor’s Taskforce on Education. Clark Pennington, Town of Matthews Police Chief. Ted Biggers, Town of Mint Hill Mayor. Tim Ledford, Town of Mint Hill Police Chief. September 7, 2018 The Committee held a meeting on September 7, 2018, at Watauga High School in Boone, NC. Susan Sitze, Committee Counsel, provided the Committee with an overview of the Committee’s actions and legislation. The Committee then heard from the following speakers: • • • • Melissa Searcy, 1st grade teacher at Blowing Rock, with 29 years teaching experience. Christian Hughes, Watauga County High School, spoke about his experience as a member of the student council and President of the Key Club. Chris Hughes, Watauga County School Safety Committee and parent of Watauga County High School student. Dr. Scott Elliott, Watauga County Schools Superintendent. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 7 • • • • Jay Fenwick, member of Watauga County School Board. Jason Cornett, member of Watauga County School Board. Ron Henries, member of Watauga County School Board. Perry Yates, Watauga County Commissioner. September 28, 2018 The Committee held a meeting on September 28, 2018, at LeGrand Center in Shelby, NC. Chairman John Torbett welcomed everyone and gave the Committee’s opening remarks. Kara McCraw, Committee Counsel, provided the Committee with an overview of the Committee’s actions and legislation. The Committee then heard from the following speakers: • • • • • • • • Superintendent Mark Johnson and Erika Berry, Department of Public Instruction, who spoke about the impacts of Hurricane Florence on North Carolina schools, and the disbursement of school safety grant funds. Kym Martin, Director of School Safety, Department of Public Instruction spoke about DPI’s School Safety Grants Program. Information from this presentation can be found on the Committee’s website. Dr. Stephen Fisher, Cleveland County Schools Superintendent. Sandy Hamrick, Student Services Coordinator of Cleveland County Schools. Rodney Boarders, Executive Director, Administrative Services, spoke about SROs in Cleveland County. Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office; Jeff Ledford, Shelby Police Chief; Nathan Phillips, Boiling Springs Police Chief; and Jerry Tessneer, Kings Mountain Police Chief, spoke about school safety from a law enforcement perspective. Paul J. Norcross, Pheonix Academy Foundation, founder of School Safety Initiative, gave a presentation about Active Shooter Detection System. Information from this presentation can be found on the Committee’s website. Tim Moore, Speaker of the House of Representatives, gave the closing remarks. October 12, 2018 The Committee held a meeting on October 12, 2018, in Belmont, NC. The Committee then heard from the following speakers: • • • Jeffrey Booker, Gaston County Schools Superintendent. Dr. Melissa Balknight, Gaston County Schools Associate Superintendent, who spoke about the importance of having more mental health services in North Carolina schools. Gary Hoskins, Gaston County Schools Associate Superintendent. Information from the Gaston County Schools representatives can be found on the Committee’s website. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 8 • • • • • • • Justin Matthews, M.Ed., Mountain Island Charter School Executive Director, gave an overview of Mountain Island Charter School. Information from this presentation can be found on the Committee’s website. Rhett Melton, Partners Behavioral Health Management CEO, spoke about Mental Illness, Substance Use Disorder and Developmental Disabilities. Information from this presentation can be found on the Committee’s website. Alicia Hutchins, Coleman Montgomery, and Carlos Oros, Students from North Gaston High School, spoke about their perspectives and suggestions on school safety. Information from this presentation can be found on the Committee’s website. Chad Brown, Gaston County Commissioners Chairman. Kym Martin, Executive Director, Center for Safer Schools, provided an update on the Center for Safer Schools. Joseph Ramey, Gaston County Police Chief, provided an update on school safety. Alan Cloninger, Gaston County Sheriff, provided an update on school safety. October 19, 2018 The Committee held a meeting on October 19, 2018, in Wilmington, NC. Kara McCraw, Committee Counsel, provided the Committee with an overview of the Committee’s actions and legislation. The Committee then heard from the following speakers: • • • • • • Margaret Haynes, Mayor Pro-tem Ralph M. Evangelous, Wilmington Police Chief, spoke about actions and programs implemented by the Wilmington Police Department regarding school safety. Skip Watkins, County Commissioner, spoke about actions taken by the County Commission regarding school safety. Kenneth Sarvis, New Hanover County Chief Deputy Sheriff, spoke about the programs and actions implemented by the Department regarding school safety. The following New Hanover County Schools attendees provided updates on the county’s school safety efforts: o Dr. Tim Markley, Superintendent. o Dr. Rick Holliday, Deputy Superintendent o Krista Holland, New Hanover County Schools Principal of the Year and Principal of Anderson Elementary School. o Cyndy Bliss, Principal of Myrtle Grove Middle School. o Dr. Rob Morgan, Principal of New Hanover High School. o Kristin Jackson, Director of Student Support Services. o Tanya DeShields-Jordan, Supervisor of Counselors/Social Workers. o Judy Stubblefield, Behavior Support Specialist. Cristen Roggeman, W.H.A.T. from Coastal Horizons, spoke about Mental Health programs in schools. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 9 October 26, 2018 The Committee held a meeting on October 26, 2018, at the Career Center High School in Winston-Salem, NC. Kara McCraw, Committee Counsel, provided the Committee with an overview of the Committee’s actions and legislation. The Committee then heard from the following speakers: • • • • • • • Dr. Chris Nichols, Principal of the Career Center High School, welcomed everyone and gave the opening remarks. Dana Caudill Jones, Chair of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education, spoke about the county’s efforts regarding school safety. Jonathan Wilson, Director of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Security, gave an update on school security. Information from this presentation can be found on the Committee’s website. Colon Moore, Director, School Construction Planning, spoke about Bond Construction projects and safety components issues. Information from this presentation can be found on the Committee’s website. Dr. Kenneth Simington, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Deputy Superintendent, and Dr. Corliss Thompson-Drew, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Director of Psychological Services spoke about the county’s Social, Emotional and Academic Learning Plans. Information from this presentation can be found on the Committee’s website. Darrell Walker, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Assistant Superintendent for Operations, spoke about challenges and pathways for Legislative support. Dr. Beverly Emory, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent, gave an update, recommendations for legislative changes, and closing remarks November 2, 2018 The Committee held a meeting on November 2, 2018, at Benhaven Elementary School in Sanford, NC. Committee Co-Chairs Representative David Lewis and Representative John Torbett, and Representative John Sauls welcomed everyone and gave the opening remarks. Jason Moran-Bates, Committee Counsel, provided the Committee with an overview of the Committee’s actions and legislation. The Committee then heard from the following speakers: • • • • • Dr. Aaron Fleming, Harnett County Schools Superintendent, gave an update on the county’s efforts regarding school safety. Bill Morris, Chair, Harnett County School Board. Gordon Springle, Chair, Harnett County Board of Commissioners. Lauren Cappola, Director, Harnett County Schools Counseling Services gave an update on the County’s counseling and student support services. Wayne Coats, Harnett County Sheriff, gave an update on programs and actions implemented by the Department regarding school safety. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 10 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS [Back to Top] RECOMMENDATION 1: FURTHER STUDY IS NECESSARY TO DEVELOP A STATE-WIDE SYSTEM FOR MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN NORTH CAROLINA. The Committee recommends that the General Assembly enact legislation requiring the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction, in collaboration with the North Carolina Medical Board, the North Carolina Psychology Board, and other stakeholders who deal with the mental health of students, conduct a study to recommend a mental health screening process to identify school children in North Carolina at risk of harming themselves or others. The Committee recommends the results of the study be reported to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than February 15, 2020. The recommendations of the Committee are presented specifically in the attached draft legislation 2019-BCz-2. RECOMMENDATION 2: CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY EDUCATION REQUIRED IN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL. The Committee recommends that the General Assembly enact legislation requiring instruction on civic responsibility be provided in elementary and middle school courses for North Carolina history and geography, and the high school course on the Founding Principles of the United States of America and the State of North Carolina, and that such instruction focus on respect for school personnel, responsibility for school safety, service to others, and good citizenship. The recommendations of the Committee are presented specifically in the attached draft legislation 2019-TCz-4. RECOMMENDATION 3: EXPANDED FIRST AID TRAINING REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING TRAINING IN USE OF AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AND BLEEDING CONTROL. The Committee recommends that the General Assembly enact legislation requiring instruction on first aid and emergency care be expanded through twelfth grade, and that additional education be offered to students as part of first aid and emergency care instruction on use of an automated external defibrillator, when equipment is available, and training on the immediate response to bleeding, how to recognize life threatening bleeding, and appropriate ways to stop the bleeding for immediate responders in trauma situations. The recommendations of the Committee are presented specifically in the attached draft legislation 2019-TCz-3. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 11 RECOMMENDATION 4: CONTINUATION AND EXPANSION OF THE SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS The Committee recommends the General Assembly enact legislation continuing and expanding school safety grants for school resource officers, services for students in crisis, school safety training, safety equipment in schools, and school mental health support personnel. The Committee recommends increasing funding for these grants, based on need as demonstrated by 2018 applications, from a total of thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) in recurring and nonrecurring funds in 2018 to a 2019 total of fifty-three million one hundred ninety thousand dollars ($53,190,000) in recurring and nonrecurring funds. The expanded program would also add a two-to-one matching requirement of State to non-State dollars for the school mental health support personnel grants. The specific recommendations of the committee are presented in the attached draft legislation 2019MTza-3. RECOMMENDATION 5: REINTRODUCE SCHOOL SAFETY LEGISLATION PROPOSED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DURING THE 2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. The Committee recommends that the General Assembly reconsider school safety legislation proposed by the Committee during the 2017 Legislative Session, specifically an act to require (i) local school administrative units to establish threat assessment teams and peer-to-peer support programs, (ii) public schools to participate in school safety measures, (iii) public schools in a county to comply with the county local school administrative unit's state of emergency plan, (iv) training standards and annual reporting for school resource officers and (v) local school administrative units to complete facility vulnerability assessments for its school buildings. The specific recommendations of the Committee are presented in 2019-BQz-2. RECOMMENDATION 6: CONTINUE THE STUDY OF WAYS TO IMPROVE SCHOOL SAFETY THROUGH CREATION OF THE HOUSE STUDY COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY. The Committee recommends that the General Assembly establish a new study committee for the 2019-2020 biennium to continue the study of school safety legislation for both elementary and secondary schools, as well as the North Carolina community colleges and constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina. The specific recommendations of the Committee are presented in 2019-TCz-6. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 12 Appendix A COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP [Back to Top] 2017-2018 Speaker of the House of Representatives Appointments: Rep. David R. Lewis (Co-Chair) Rep. John A. Torbett (Co-Chair) Rep. John Faircloth (Vice-Chair) Rep. John R. Bell, IV Rep. Larry M. Bell Rep. MaryAnn Black Rep. James L. Boles, Jr. Rep. William Brawley Rep. Dana Bumgardner Rep. Justin P. Burr Rep. Becky Carney Rep. Carla D. Cunningham Rep. Ted Davis, Jr. Rep. Jimmy Dixon Rep. Josh Dobson Rep. Nelson Dollar Rep. Jeffrey Elmore Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield Rep. Susan C. Fisher Rep. Elmer Floyd Rep. Rosa U. Gill Rep. Charles Graham Rep. Holly Grange Rep. Jon Hardister Rep. Pricey Harrison Rep. Kelly E. Hastings House Select Committee on School Safety Rep. Cody Henson Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley Rep. D. Craig Horn Rep. Pat B. Hurley Rep. Frank Iler Rep. Verla Insko Rep. Darren G. Jackson Rep. Linda P. Johnson Rep. Brenden H. Jones Rep. Jonathan C. Jordan Rep. Donny Lambeth Rep. Marvin W. Lucas Rep. Chris Malone Rep. Allen McNeill Rep. Rodney W. Moore Rep. Garland E. Pierce Rep. Bobbie Richardson Rep. Stephen M. Ross Rep. Jason Saine Rep. Michael Speciale Rep. Sarah Stevens Rep. Larry C. Strickland Rep. Harry Warren Rep. Donna McDowell White Page 13 This page intentionally left blank. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 14 Appendix B COMMITTEE CHARGE/STATUTORY AUTHORITY [Back to Top] House Select Committee on School Safety Page 15 Mimi 3. 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The Cun'rnitt-ee mt.- submit an Intu-nm rule-n an 111:: naturrs at In firming. ineluiin? dm' pmeused legislatlun. ?ll the Hutu: u-l' Pleural-ennui?: at are-.rtlm Hwy-?Mil: alinal repent-:1 ?1th nf In ?rdlnae, mill-tiles am.- t-mp-tnsed legisletitun hu- the rnernben at the Heme ef Reprismra?hlE-i en e-r hater: Dutnmb-cr 31. EDIE. The mal- amt-5e the Ht-t-ee tti mneur emeuran legsuuen uni-m the Emminee?s pamssinn. shall b9 sub-mum"! by filing a er the teem with the Eli-line ef the Spener nf the Hun all the Hausa Clerk. and The vegetative Library The [emittee an D-EtEi??t-Et i1. NIB. :Ir umn the [Ming D?l ii: ?nal rcuurt. whichaw-r fist t?eetltei this IT'da-rtif enlarg- Z-IJ-IEI. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 16 Appendix C LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS [Back to Top] House Select Committee on School Safety Page 17 This page intentionally left blank. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 18 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2019 H D BILL DRAFT 2019-BCz-2 [v.3] (THIS IS A DRAFT AND IS NOT READY FOR INTRODUCTION) 11/09/2018 02:21:02 PM Short Title: School Mental Health Screening Study. (Public) Sponsors: Referred to: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO STUDY THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING PROCESS FOR CHILDREN IN NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction shall conduct a study to recommend a mental health screening process to identify school children in North Carolina at risk of harming themselves or others. In conducting this study, the Departments shall collaborate with the North Carolina Medical Board, the North Carolina Psychology Board, organizations concerned with school mental health, and any other stakeholders the Departments deem appropriate. SECTION 2. The study shall examine at least all of the following issues: (a) Whether the State should require a mental health screen to identify schoolaged children at risk of harming themselves or others. (b) Which mental health professionals should conduct any mental health screen of school-aged children in North Carolina, including whether specific training or experience in working with school-aged children who might be at risk of harming themselves or others should be required in addition to licensure as a healthcare or mental health provider. (c) What behaviors or mental health diagnoses the screen should be targeted to identify. (d) The format the screen is to take, including whether an independent mental health screen must be developed, or whether an existing product may be used. The study shall examine at least the Pearson BASC-2 Behavioral and Emotional Screening System and the FastBridge Learning Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener to determine if either system could be developed into, or used as, a state-wide screen. (e) Whether the screen must be uniform throughout the State or whether the Departments should create general guidelines to be followed by each local school administrative unit. (f) Creation of a policy to ensure that any children identified as being at risk of harming themselves or others receive the mental health services they need to House Select Committee on School Safety Page 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ameliorate that risk. The study shall examine what type of mental health providers can provide follow up services, whether these services may be provided by mental health support staff employed by local school administrative units, and the feasibility of local school administrative units partnering with private organizations to provide these services. (g) Creation of a policy regulating the storage of, and access to, the confidential health information generated by a screen. (h) The optimal age to initiate screening and whether screening should be repeated at different ages. (i) Whether parents will be permitted to opt out of the screen. (j) Whether individuals who perform mental health screening of school-aged children at risk of harming themselves or others should be immune from suit for their actions and omissions in performing those screens. (k) Any other issues the Departments deem necessary. SECTION 3. The Departments shall report their findings to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than February 15, 2020. SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 20 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2019 H D BILL DRAFT 2019-TCz-4 [v.4] (THIS IS A DRAFT AND IS NOT READY FOR INTRODUCTION) 11/14/2018 06:27:25 PM Short Title: Civic Responsibility Education. (Public) Sponsors: Referred to: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ENSURE INSTRUCTION IN CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. Article 8 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 115C-46. Civic responsibility. (a) The State Board of Education shall include instruction on civic responsibility in the standard course of study for both the elementary and middle school courses for North Carolina history and geography, and the high school course on the Founding Principles of the United States of America and the State of North Carolina. (b) The instruction of civic responsibility shall be focused on the following: a. Respect for school personnel. – In the school environment, respect includes holding teachers, school administrators, and all school personnel in high esteem and demonstrating in words and deeds that all school personnel deserve to be treated with courtesy and proper deference. b. Responsibility for school safety. – Helping to create a harmonious school atmosphere that is free from threats, weapons, and violent or disruptive behavior; cultivating an orderly learning environment in which students and school personnel feel safe and secure; and encouraging the resolution of conflicts and disagreements through peaceful means, including peer mediation. Instruction in this responsibility should include a consistent and age-appropriate antiviolence message and a conflict resolution component for students in kindergarten through grade 12. These messages should include media-awareness education to help children recognize stereotypes and messages portraying violence. c. Service to others. – Engaging in meaningful service to their schools and their communities. Schools may teach service-learning by (i) incorporating it into their standard curriculum or (ii) involving a classroom of students or some other group of students in one or more hands-on community service projects. All schools are encouraged to provide opportunities for student involvement in community service or service-learning projects. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 d. Good citizenship. – Obeying the laws of the nation and this State; abiding by school rules; and understanding the rights and responsibilities of a member of a republic." SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 115C-81.60(a) reads as rewritten: "§ 115C-81.60. Character education. (a) Each local board of education shall develop and implement character education instruction with input from the local community. The instruction shall be incorporated into the standard curriculum and should address the following traits: …" SECTION 2.(b) G.S. 115C-81.60(b) is repealed. SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 22 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2019 H D BILL DRAFT 2019-TCz-3 [v.5] (THIS IS A DRAFT AND IS NOT READY FOR INTRODUCTION) 11/14/2018 06:46:45 PM Short Title: First Aid Training for All Students. (Public) Sponsors: Referred to: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REQUIRE BLEEDING CONTROL AND USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AS PART OF REQUIRED FIRST AID TRAINING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TO REQUIRE INSTRUCTION IN FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY CARE EDUCATION IN HIGH SCHOOL, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. Article 8 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 115C-81.22. First aid and emergency care education. (a) Instruction shall be provided in first aid and emergency care education from kindergarten through grade 12. First aid and emergency care shall include, but is not limited to, the teaching of the following: (1) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). (2) Heimlich maneuver. (3) Use of an automated external defibrillator, when equipment is available. (4) Bleeding control. (b) Instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich maneuver shall be given using hands on training with mannequins so that students pass a test approved by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. For the purposes of this subsection, schools shall do all of the following: (1) Use an instructional program developed by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or other nationally recognized programs that is based on the most current national evidence based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR. (2) Maintain documentation in an electronic database that students have successfully completed CPR instruction to meet healthful living essential standards. (3) Require successful completion of instruction in CPR to be a requirement for high school graduation. (c) Instruction in the use of an automated external defibrillator shall provide training in the appropriate use of an automated external defibrillator in heart-related emergencies, when equipment is available for training. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 23 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 (d) Instruction in bleeding control shall provide training on the immediate response to bleeding, how to recognize life-threatening bleeding, and appropriate ways to stop the bleeding for immediate responders in trauma situations. (e) The State Board of Education shall develop and maintain a recommended list of first aid and emergency care materials that include components for teacher training and ongoing assessment and evaluation to verify success and ensure the use of up-to-date information and strategies. (f) The Department of Public Instruction shall do the following: (1) Work to strengthen instructional offerings in the content and skill areas in which first aid and emergency care education is addressed. (2) Develop curricular materials and resources that meet, extend, and supplement first aid and emergency care education as outlined in the standard course of study and the teacher handbook for the competency-based curriculum. (3) Recommend to the State Board of Education any first aid and emergency care education support materials that should be removed from or added to the recommended list of curricular resources developed and maintained by the State Board of Education. (g) Local boards of education may select supplemental first aid and emergency care education materials from the list maintained by the State Board of Education or develop their own supplemental materials to be approved by the State Board of Education. (h) Local boards of education shall do the following: (1) Implement an approved first aid and emergency care education as a primary part of their comprehensive health education program. (2) Provide for ongoing evaluation of first aid and emergency care education resources, to include participation in ongoing evaluations with the Department of Public Instruction. (i) The Department of Public Instruction, in conjunction with local school administrative units, shall provide for professional development to train educators and support personnel to implement a comprehensive first aid and emergency care education program. (j) Sequential, age-appropriate instruction shall be provided that includes all of the following: (1) Reaches all students in all grades. (2) Utilizes information that is current and accurate. (3) Involves students in active "hands-on" learning experiences. (4) Integrates first aid and emergency care education with other health and social issues and other subject and skill areas of the standard course of study. (5) Includes strategies to involve parents, family members, and the community. (6) Is continually open to revision, expansion, and improvement." SECTION 2. G.S. 115C-81.25(c)(10) reads as rewritten: "(10) First aid and emergency care,care. including the teaching of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich maneuver by using hands-on training with mannequins so that students pass a test approved by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. For the purposes of this subdivision, schools shall do all of the following: a. Use an instructional program developed by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or other nationally recognized programs that is based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 b. Maintain documentation in an electronic database that students have successfully completed CPR instruction to meet healthful living essential standards. c. Require successful completion of instruction in CPR to be a requirement for high school graduation by the 2014-2015 school year." SECTION 3. This act is effective July 1, 2020, and applies beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 25 This page intentionally left blank. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 26 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2019 H D BILL DRAFT 2019-MTza-3 [v.12] (THIS IS A DRAFT AND IS NOT READY FOR INTRODUCTION) 11/30/2018 02:47:40 PM Short Title: 2019 School Safety Grants Program. (Public) Sponsors: Referred to: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ENACT THE 2019 SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS PROGRAM AND TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER GRANTS, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1.(a) Definitions. – For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: (1) Community partner. – A public or private entity, including, but not limited to, a nonprofit corporation or a local management entity/managed care organization (LME/MCO), that partners with a local school administrative unit to provide services or pay for the provision of services for the unit. (2) Public school unit. – A local school administrative unit, regional school, innovative school, laboratory school, or charter school. (3) School mental health support personnel. – School nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers. SECTION 1.(b) Program; Purpose. – The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall establish the 2019 School Safety Grants Program (program). The purpose of the program shall be to improve safety in public school units by providing grants for (i) services for students in crisis, (ii) school safety training, (iii) safety equipment in schools, and (iv) school mental health support personnel. SECTION 1.(c) Grant Applications. – A public school unit or community partner, as appropriate, may submit an application to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for a grant pursuant to this section. The application shall include an assessment, to be performed in conjunction with a local law enforcement agency, of the need for improving school safety within the public school unit that would receive the funding or services. The application shall identify current and ongoing needs and estimated costs associated with those needs. SECTION 1.(d) Criteria and Guidelines. – By August 1, 2019, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop criteria and guidelines for the administration and use of the grants pursuant to this section, including any documentation required to be submitted by applicants. In assessing grant applications, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall consider at least all of the following factors: (1) The level of resources available to the public school unit that would receive the funding or services. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 27 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 (2) Whether the public school unit has received other grants of funding for school safety. (3) The overall impact on student safety in the public school unit if the identified needs are funded. SECTION 1.(e) Grants for Students in Crisis. – Of the funds appropriated to the Department of Public Instruction by this act for the program in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, shall use up to four million five hundred eighty thousand dollars ($4,580,000) in recurring funds to award grants to community partners to provide or pay for the provision of any of the following crisis services: (1) Crisis respite services for parents or guardians of an individual student to prevent more intensive or costly levels of care. (2) Training and expanded services for therapeutic foster care families and licensed child placement agencies that provide services to students who (i) need support to manage their health, welfare, and safety and (ii) have any of the following: a. Cognitive or behavioral problems. b. Developmental delays. c. Aggressive behavior. (3) Evidence-based therapy services aligned with targeted training for students and their parents or guardians, including any of the following: a. Parent-child interaction therapy. b. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. c. Dialectical behavior therapy. d. Child-parent psychotherapy. (4) Any other crisis service, including peer-to-peer mentoring, that is likely to increase school safety. Of the funds allocated to the Superintendent for grants pursuant to this section, the Superintendent shall not use more than ten percent (10%) for the services identified in this subdivision. SECTION 1.(f) Grants for Training to Increase School Safety. – Of the funds appropriated to the Department of Public Instruction by this act for the program in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, shall use up to four million five hundred seventy thousand dollars ($4,570,000) in recurring funds to award grants to community partners that will address school safety by providing training to help students develop healthy responses to trauma and stress. The training shall be targeted and evidence-based and shall include any of the following services: (1) Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) training for school mental health support personnel, local first responders, and teachers on the topics of suicide prevention and reducing access by students to lethal means. (2) Training for school mental health support personnel on comprehensive and evidence-based clinical treatments for students and their parents or guardians, including any of the following: a. Parent-child interaction therapy. b. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. c. Behavioral therapy. d. Dialectical behavior therapy. e. Child-parent psychotherapy. (3) Training for students and school employees on community resilience models to improve understanding and responses to trauma and significant stress. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 (4) Training for school mental health support personnel on Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct problems (MATCH-ADTC), including any of the following components: a. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. b. Parent and student coping skills. c. Problem solving. d. Safety planning. (5) Any other training, including the training on the facilitation of peer-to-peer mentoring, that is likely to increase school safety. Of the funds allocated to the Superintendent for grants pursuant to this section, the Superintendent shall not use more than ten percent (10%) for the services identified in this subdivision. SECTION 1.(g) Grants for Safety Equipment. – Of the funds appropriated to the Department of Public Instruction by this act for the program in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, shall use up to six million one hundred forty thousand dollars ($6,140,000) in nonrecurring funds to award grants to local school administrative units, regional schools, innovative schools, or laboratory schools for the purchase of safety equipment for government-owned school buildings. SECTION 1.(h) Grants for School Mental Health Support Personnel. – Of the funds appropriated to the Department of Public Instruction by this act for the program in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall use up to eighteen million two hundred thousand dollars ($18,200,000) in recurring funds to award grants to public school units to provide all or a portion of the salary and benefits costs needed to employ additional school mental health support personnel on a full-time, part-time, or contractual basis. Grants shall be matched on the basis of two dollars ($2.00) in State funds for every one dollar ($1.00) in non-State funds. SECTION 1.(i) Supplement Not Supplant. – Grants provided to public school units or community partners pursuant to the program shall be used to supplement and not to supplant State or non-State funds already provided for these services. SECTION 1.(j) Administrative Costs. – Of the funds appropriated to the Department of Public Instruction by this act for the program in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the Superintendent of Public Instruction may retain up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the 20192020 fiscal year for administrative costs associated with the program. SECTION 1.(k) Report. – No later than April 1, 2020, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall report on the program to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, and the Fiscal Research Division. The report shall include the identity of each entity that received a grant through the program, the amount of funding provided to each entity that received a grant, the use of funds by each entity that received a grant, and recommendations for the implementation of additional effective school safety measures. SECTION 2. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2019-2020 fiscal year the following sums for the following purposes: (1) The sum of six million one hundred forty thousand dollars ($6,140,000) in nonrecurring funds for school safety equipment pursuant to Section 1(g) of this act. (2) The sum of thirty-five million fifty thousand dollars ($35,050,000) in recurring funds for (i) grants for students in crisis pursuant to Section 1(e) of this act, (ii) grants for school safety training pursuant to Section 1(f) of this act, (iii) grants for school mental health support personnel pursuant to Section House Select Committee on School Safety Page 29 1 2 3 4 5 1(h) of this act, and (iv), beginning with the 2019-2020 fiscal year, an additional seven million seven hundred thousand dollars ($7,700,000) in recurring funds for school resource officers in accordance with the grant program established pursuant to Section 7.27(e) of S.L. 2018-5. SECTION 3. This act becomes effective July 1, 2019. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 30 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2019 H D BILL DRAFT 2019-BQz-2 [v.9] (THIS IS A DRAFT AND IS NOT READY FOR INTRODUCTION) 12/04/2018 12:28:49 PM Short Title: School Safety Omnibus. (Public) Sponsors: Referred to: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO IMPROVE SCHOOL SAFETY, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: PART I. REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL SAFETY FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS SECTION 1.(a) G.S. 115C-5 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: "(11) Public school unit. – Any of the following: a. A local school administrative unit. b. A charter school. c. A regional school. d. A school providing elementary or secondary instruction operated by one of the following: 1. The State Board of Education, including schools operated under Article 7A and Article 9C of this Chapter. 2. The University of North Carolina, including schools operated under Articles 4, 29, and 29A of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes." SECTION 1.(b) G.S. 115C-105.46, 115C-105.47A, and 115C-105.48, are codified into Part 1 of Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes, Local Plans for Alternative Schools/Alternative Learning Programs and Maintaining Safe and Orderly Schools. Part 1 shall be entitled "Local Plans for Alternative Schools/Alternative Learning Programs." The remaining sections of Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes shall be codified into Part 2, which shall be entitled "Maintaining Safe and Orderly Schools." SECTION 1.(c) G.S. 115C-105.49 reads as rewritten: "§ 115C-105.49. School safety exercises. (a) At least once annually, each local school administrativepublic school unit shall require each school under its control to hold a full school-wide tabletop exercise and drill based on the procedures documented in its School Risk Management Plan (SRMP). (SRMP), and shall report the date and time the drill is conducted to the Center for Safer Schools. The drill shall include a practice school lockdown due to an intruder on school grounds. Each school is encouraged to hold a tabletop exercise and drill for multiple hazards included in its SRMP. Schools are strongly encouraged to include local law enforcement agencies and emergency House Select Committee on School Safety Page 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 management agencies in their tabletop exercises and drills. The purpose of the tabletop exercises and drills shall be to permit participants to (i) discuss simulated emergency situations in a low-stress environment, (ii) clarify their roles and responsibilities and the overall logistics of dealing with an emergency, and (iii) identify areas in which the SRMP needs to be modified. … (d) The Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management, and the Center for Safer Schools shall provide guidance and recommendations to local school administrative public school units on the types of multiple hazards to plan and respond to, including intruders on school grounds. SECTION 1.(d) G.S. 115C-105.49A(b) reads as rewritten: "(b) In constructing the SRRMS, the Division of Emergency Management and the Center for Safer Schools shall leverage the existing enterprise risk management database, the School Risk Management Planning tool managed by the Division. The Division shall also leverage the local school administrativepublic school unit and participating nonpublic school schematic diagrams of school facilities. Where technically feasible, the SRRMS shall integrate any anonymous tip lines established pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.51 and any 911-initiated panic alarm systems authorized as part of a SRMP pursuant to G.S. 115C-47(40). The Division and the Center for Safer Schools shall collaborate with the Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina 911 Board in the design, implementation, and maintenance of the SRRMS." SECTION 1.(e) G.S. 115C-105.52 reads as rewritten: "§ 115C-105.52. School crisis kits. The Department of Public Instruction, in consultation with the Department of Public Safety through the North Carolina Center for Safer Schools, may develop and adopt policies on the placement of school crisis kits in schools and on the contents of those kits. The kits should include, at a minimum, basic first-aid supplies, communications devices, and other items recommended by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The principal of each school, in coordination with the law enforcement agencies that are part of the local board of education's public school unit's School Risk Management Plan, may place one or more crisis kits at appropriate locations in the school. SECTION 1.(f) G.S. 115C-105.53 reads as rewritten: "§ 115C-105.53. Schematic diagrams and emergency access to school buildings for local law enforcement agencies. (a) Each local school administrative public school unit shall provide the following to local law enforcement agencies: (i) schematic diagrams, including digital schematic diagrams, and (ii) either keys to the main entrance of all school buildings or emergency access to key storage devices such as KNOX® boxes for all school buildings. Local school administrativePublic school units shall provide updates of the schematic diagrams to local law enforcement agencies when substantial modifications such as new facilities or modifications to doors and windows are made to school buildings. Local school administrativePublic school units shall also be responsible for providing local law enforcement agencies with updated access to school buildings when changes are made to the locks of the main entrances or to key storage devices such as KNOX® boxes. (b) The Department of Public Instruction, in consultation with the Department of Public Safety, shall develop standards and guidelines for the preparation and content of schematic diagrams and necessary updates. Local school administrativePublic school units and participating nonpublic schools may use these standards and guidelines to assist in the preparation of their schematic diagrams. …." SECTION 1.(g) G.S. 115C-105.54(a) reads as rewritten: House Select Committee on School Safety Page 32 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 "(a) Each local school administrativepublic school unit shall provide the following to the Division of Emergency Management (Division) at the Department of Public Safety: (i) schematic diagrams, including digital schematic diagrams, and (ii) emergency response information requested by the Division for the School Risk Management Plan (SRMP). Local school administrativePublic school units shall also provide updated schematic diagrams and emergency response information to the Division when such updates are made. The Division shall ensure that the diagrams and emergency response information are securely stored and distributed as provided in the SRMP to first responders, emergency personnel, and school personnel and approved by the Department of Public Instruction." SECTION 1.(h) G.S. 115C-218.75(b), (d), and (e) are repealed. SECTION 1.(i) G.S. 115C-218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: "(g) Each charter school shall comply with the applicable requirements of Part 2 of Article 8C of this Chapter." SECTION 1.(j) G.S. 115C-238.66(7a), (7b), (7c), and (7d) are repealed. SECTION 1.(k) G.S. 115C-238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: "(14) Each regional school shall comply with the applicable requirements of Part 2 of Article 8C of this Chapter." SECTION 1.(l) G.S. 116-239.8(b)(10), (11), (12), and (13) are repealed. SECTION 1.(m) G.S. 116-239.8(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: "(17) Laboratory schools shall comply with the applicable requirements of Part 2 of Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes." SECTION 1.(n) G.S. 115C-75.9 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: "(h1) School Safety. – Innovative schools shall comply with the applicable requirements of Part 2 of Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes." SECTION 1.(o) Article 9C of Chapter 115C is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 115C-150.16. School safety. A school governed by this Article shall comply with the applicable requirements of Part 2 of Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes." SECTION 1.(p) Article 4 of Chapter 116 is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 116-69.2. School safety. The school shall comply with the applicable requirements of Part 2 of Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes." SECTION 1.(r) G.S. 116-235 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: "(j) School Safety. – The school shall comply with the applicable requirements of Part 2 of Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes." SECTION 1.(s) G.S. 115C-551 reads as rewritten: "§ 115C-551. Voluntary participation in the State programs. (a) Any such private church school or school of religious charter may, on a voluntary basis, participate in any State operated or sponsored program which would otherwise be available to such school, including but not limited to the high school competency testing and statewide testing programs. (b) All private church schools and all schools of religious charter are encouraged to do the following: (1) School Risk Management Plan. – In coordination with local law enforcement agencies, adopt a School Risk Management Plan (SRMP) relating to incidents of school violence. In constructing and maintaining these plans, the school may utilize the School Risk and Response Management System (SRRMS) established pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.49A. These plans are not considered a House Select Committee on School Safety Page 33 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 public record as the term "public record" is defined under G.S. 132-1 and shall not be subject to inspection and examination under G.S. 132-6. (2) Schematic diagrams and school crisis kits. – Provide schematic diagrams and keys to the main entrance of school facilities to local law enforcement agencies, in addition to implementing the provisions in G.S. 115C-105.52. (3) School safety exercises. – At least once a year, hold a full school-wide lockdown exercise with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies that are part of the regional school's SRMP. (4) Safety information provided to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management. – Provide the following: (i) schematic diagrams, including digital schematic diagrams, and (ii) emergency response information requested by the Division for the SRMP. The schematic diagrams and emergency response information are not considered public records as the term "public record" is defined under G.S. 132-1 and shall not be subject to inspection and examination under G.S. 132-6." SECTION 1.(t) G.S. 115C-559 reads as rewritten: "§ 115C-559. Voluntary participation in the State programs. (a) Any such qualified nonpublic school may, on a voluntary basis, participate in any State operated or sponsored program which would otherwise be available to such school, including but not limited to the high school competency testing and statewide testing programs. (b) All qualified nonpublic schools are encouraged to do the following: (1) School Risk Management Plan. – In coordination with local law enforcement agencies, adopt a School Risk Management Plan (SRMP) relating to incidents of school violence. In constructing and maintaining these plans, the school may utilize the School Risk and Response Management System (SRRMS) established pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.49A. These plans are not considered a public record as the term "public record" is defined under G.S. 132-1 and shall not be subject to inspection and examination under G.S. 132-6. (2) Schematic diagrams and school crisis kits. – Provide schematic diagrams and keys to the main entrance of school facilities to local law enforcement agencies, in addition to implementing the provisions in G.S. 115C-105.52. (3) School safety exercises. – At least once a year, hold a full school-wide lockdown exercise with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies that are part of the regional school's SRMP. (4) Safety information provided to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management. – Provide the following: (i) schematic diagrams, including digital schematic diagrams, and (ii) emergency response information requested by the Division for the SRMP. The schematic diagrams and emergency response information are not considered public records as the term "public record" is defined under G.S. 132-1 and shall not be subject to inspection and examination under G.S. 132-6." SECTION 1.(u) This section becomes effective July 1, 2019, and applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. PART II: CLARIFY THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CENTER FOR SAFER SCHOOLS SECTION 2. G.S. 115C-105.57 reads as rewritten: "§ 115C-105.57. Center for Safer Schools. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 34 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 (a) Center for Safer Schools Established. – There is established the Center for Safer Schools.Schools. The Center for Safer Schools shall be administratively located in the Department of Public Instruction. The Center for Safer Schools shall consist of an executive directorExecutive Director appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and such other professional, administrative, technical, and clerical personnel as may be necessary to assist the Center for Safer Schools in carrying out its powers and duties. (b) Executive Director. – The Executive Director shall report to and serve at the pleasure of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at a salary established by the Superintendent within the funds appropriated for this purpose. (c) Powers and Duties. – The Center for Safer Schools shall have the following duties, and all other powers and duties provided in this Article.Article: (1) Serve as a resource and referral center for the State by conducting research, sponsoring workshops, and providing information regarding current school safety concerns. (2) Provide training and professional development for public school personnel in the development and implementation of initiatives promoting school safety. (3) Maintain and disseminate information to public schools on effective school safety initiatives in North Carolina and across the nation. (4) Collect, analyze, and disseminate various North Carolina school safety data. (5) Provide technical and instructional assistance to facilitate the development of partnerships between the public and private sectors to promote school safety in North Carolina. (6) Recommend a system of accountability to the General Assembly to document school safety exercises, including practice school lockdowns, required by G.S. 115C-105.49. (7) Develop model policies for threat assessment teams for public school units, including procedures for the assessment of and intervention with students whose behavior poses a threat to the safety of school staff or students. The Center of Safer Schools shall consult with and involve the Task Force for Safer Schools and relevant State government agencies in development of the model policies. (8) Assist law enforcement officers assigned to schools and their agencies in active shooter response drills and other pertinent school safety related training. (9) Collaborate with the North Carolina Justice Academy, the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission to establish and maintain updated training curriculum for school resource officers. (10) Coordinate grants for school resource officers in elementary and middle schools and ensure that training requirements for school resource officers funded by those grants are met. (11) Provide technical assistance to public school units in the development and implementation of initiatives promoting school safety. (d) Agency Cooperation. – All State agencies and departments shall cooperate with the Center for Safer Schools in carrying out its powers and duties, as necessary, in accordance with this Article. The Center of Safer Schools shall coordinate, collaborate, and seek information as necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities from State and local government agencies, who shall provide information upon request to the Center. These agencies include the following: (1) Department of Public Safety. (2) Department of Health and Human Services. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 35 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 (3) (4) (5) (6) Department of Public Instruction. North Carolina Justice Academy. Governor's Crime Commission. State Bureau of Investigation Fusion Center, Information Sharing, and Analysis Center. (7) Governing bodies of public school units. (8) Local law enforcement agencies. (e) Task Force Guidance – The Center of Safer Schools shall receive guidance and advice from the Task Force for Safer Schools." SECTION 2.(b). This section is effective when it becomes law. Model policies for threat assessment teams required by G.S. 115C-105.57(c)(7), as enacted by this act, shall be developed by the Center for Safer Schools no later than December 31, 2019. PART III: THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAMS SECTION 3.(a) Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 115C-105.60. Threat assessment teams. (a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section: (1) Superintendent. – The superintendent or, if there is no superintendent, the staff member with the highest decision making authority. (2) Threat. – A concerning communication or behavior that indicates that an individual poses a danger to the safety of school staff or students through acts of violence or other behavior that would cause harm to self or others. The threat may be expressed or communicated behaviorally, orally, visually, in writing, electronically, or through any other means, and is considered a threat regardless of whether it is observed by or communicated directly to the target of the threat or observed by or communicated to a third party, and regardless of whether the target of the threat is aware of the threat. (3) Threat assessment. – A fact-based process emphasizing an appraisal of observed, or reasonably observable, behaviors to identify potentially dangerous or violent situations, to assess them, and to manage or address them. (4) Threat assessment team. – A team that includes persons with expertise in counseling, instruction, school administration, and law enforcement that conducts threat assessments in a public school unit. When practicable, at least one member of a threat assessment team shall be a psychologist or psychiatrist. Members of a threat assessment team who are not employees of the public school unit may review student records as provided in 34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B) pursuant to a written agreement with the public school unit of the requirements and responsibilities for use of student records under the federal Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act. (b) The governing body of the public school unit shall adopt policies for the establishment of threat assessment teams, including the conduct of threat assessments and intervention with individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of school staff or students, consistent with the model policies developed by the Center for Safer Schools in accordance with G.S. 115C-105.57(c)(7). Such policies shall include procedures for referrals to health care providers for evaluation or treatment, when appropriate. (c) The superintendent may establish a committee charged with coordination and monitoring of the threat assessment teams operating within the unit, which may be an existing House Select Committee on School Safety Page 36 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 committee established by the unit. The committee shall include individuals with expertise in human resources, education, school administration, mental health, and law enforcement. (d) Each school in the public school unit shall have a threat assessment team established by the superintendent. In the discretion of the superintendent, an established threat assessment team may serve more than one school in the unit. Each team shall do the following: (1) Provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff regarding recognition of threatening or aberrant behavior that may represent a threat to the community, school, or self. (2) Conduct threat assessments to determine appropriate actions and intervention based on the level of threat determined by the assessment. A threat assessment team shall determine the level of threat posed by an individual or situation as follows: a. Low risk. – A threat in which the individual or situation does not appear to pose a threat of violence or serious harm to self or others and any exhibited issues or concerns can be resolved easily. b. Moderate risk. – A threat in which the person or situation does not appear to pose a threat of violence or serious harm to self or others, at this time, but exhibits behaviors that indicate a continuing intent and potential for future violence or serious harm to self or others or exhibits other concerning behavior that requires intervention. c. High risk. – A threat in which the person or situation appears to pose a threat of violence or serious harm to self or others, exhibiting behaviors that indicate both a continuing intent to harm and efforts to acquire the capacity to carry out the plan, and may also exhibit other concerning behavior that requires intervention. d. Imminent risk. – A threat in which the person or situation appears to pose a clear and immediate threat of serious violence toward others that requires containment and action to protect identified or identifiable target or targets and may also exhibit other concerning behavior that requires intervention. (3) Identify members of the school community to whom threatening behavior should be reported. (4) Implement policies adopted by the governing body of the public school unit pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. (5) Utilize anonymous reporting applications for students to receive information about school safety concerns requiring investigation. (e) Upon a preliminary determination that an individual poses a high risk or imminent risk threat of violence or physical harm to self or others, a threat assessment team shall immediately report its determination to the superintendent or the superintendent's designee, who shall respond as follows: (1) The superintendent or designee shall immediately attempt to notify the student's parent or legal guardian. The superintendent may delegate the responsibility for notification to the principal of the school and may require notice be made to the principal directly. (2) In the case of an imminent risk threat determined to be an emergency under the standards established by the Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act in 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(I), the superintendent or designee shall provide notice to individuals who are the subject of the threat and, if a student is the subject of a threat, the superintendent or designee shall provide notice to the student's parent or legal guardian. All notices shall be in accordance with the House Select Committee on School Safety Page 37 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g. The superintendent may delegate the responsibility for notification to the principal of the school and may require notice be made to the principal directly. (3) In the case of an imminent risk threat, the superintendent or designee shall immediately notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency. In the case of a high risk threat, the superintendent or designee shall notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency when recommended by the threat assessment team. (4) The superintendent or designee shall refer the matter to the appropriate mental health resources when recommended by the threat assessment team. (5) The superintendent or designee shall comply with the requirements of Article 27 of this Chapter for any student discipline actions. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude public school personnel from acting immediately to address an imminent risk threat. (f) Each threat assessment team established pursuant to this section shall report quantitative data on its activities to the Center for Safer Schools according to guidance developed by the Center. Such data shall include, as a minimum, the following: (1) Number of threat assessments conducted annually and demographic information on subjects of those assessments. (2) Number of threat assessments that resulted in a determination that the individual being assessed was a high risk or imminent risk threat and demographic information on those individuals. (3) Types of actions taken in response to a determination that the individual being assessed was a high risk or imminent risk threat. (4) Results of actions taken in response to determination that the individual being assessed was a high risk or imminent risk threat. (g) Upon a preliminary determination by the threat assessment team that an individual poses an imminent risk threat, a threat assessment team may obtain the following: (1) Health records. – Notwithstanding G.S. 8-53 or any other provision of law, a health care provider may disclose protected health information related to an imminent risk threat to the health or safety of school staff or students to a member of a threat assessment team who is a school nurse, school psychologist, or other licensed health or licensed mental health professional. The member of the threat assessment team who receives the health records shall provide an explanation of the health records when sharing those records with the remainder of the threat assessment team. (2) Criminal records. – A threat assessment team may obtain criminal history as provided in G.S. 143B-931A. For a threat assessment of a student with juvenile records, the threat assessment team shall have access to written notifications received pursuant to G.S. 7B-3101 and information gained from examination of juvenile records in accordance with G.S. 7B-3100, held pursuant to G.S. 115C-404. Records held pursuant to G.S. 115C-404 shall be returned to the principal following review by the threat assessment team. Any information shared among members of the threat assessment team pursuant to this subsection shall remain confidential, shall not be a public record subject to Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, and shall only be released in connection with an emergency under the standards established by the Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act in 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(I)." SECTION 3.(b) Article 13 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 143B-931A. Criminal records checks for threat assessment teams. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 38 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 The Department of Public Safety may provide a criminal record check to the members of a threat assessment team established by the governing body of a public school unit, as defined in G.S. 115C-5(11), pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.76 for the purpose of administering criminal justice in assessing or intervening when a preliminary determination has been made that an individual poses an imminent risk threat to school safety. No member of a threat assessment team shall redisclose any criminal history record information obtained pursuant to this section or otherwise use any record of an individual beyond the purpose that such disclosure was made to the threat assessment team." SECTION 3.(c) G.S. 115C-47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: "(64) Peer-to-peer student support programs. – Local boards of education shall require peer-to-peer student support programs be established at all schools with grades six and higher, and are encouraged to implement peer-to-peer student support programs as appropriate in other grades." SECTION 3.(d) G.S. 115C-316.1 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: "(c) School counselors, as part of the direct services provided in subsection (a) of this section, shall coordinate and provide training for students in peer-to-peer student support programs that address areas such as conflict resolution, general health and wellness, and mentoring. The Center for Safer Schools will support school counselors in the administration and delivery of peer-to-peer student support programs." SECTION 3.(e) This section is effective when it becomes law. All public school units, as defined in G.S. 115C-5(11), as enacted by subsection (a) of Section 1 of this act, shall establish threat assessment teams as required by G.S. 115C-105.60, as enacted by this act, no later than March 1, 2020. The remainder of this section applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. PART IV. COUNTY LOCAL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS STATE OF EMERGENCY PLAN. SECTION 4.(a) G.S. 115C-47(40) reads as rewritten: "(40) Adopt School Risk Management Plans. – Each local board of education shall, in coordination with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies, adopt a School Risk Management Plan (SRMP) relating to incidents of school violence for each school in its jurisdiction. As part of the SRMPs, each county local board of education, following consultation with any other public school units within the county, shall adopt a state of emergency plan for the public school units of the county. In constructing and maintaining these plans, local boards of education and local school administrative units shall utilize the School Risk and Response Management System (SRRMS) established pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.49A. These plans are not a public record as the term "public record" is defined under G.S. 132-1 and shall not be subject to inspection and examination under G.S. 132-6." SECTION 4.(b) Article 8C of Chapter 115 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 115C-105.50. State of emergency plans. (a) For purposes of this section, the term "countywide state of emergency" means a state of emergency with a defined area covering the entirety of the jurisdiction of a county declared by any of the following: (1) The President of the United States, under the Stafford Act (P.L. 93-288). (2) The General Assembly, under G.S. 166A-19.20. (3) The Governor, under G.S. 166A-19.20. (4) The governing body of a county, under G.S. 166A-19.22. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 39 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 (b) In the event of a countywide state of emergency, the county board of education shall implement the state of emergency plan developed pursuant to G.S. 115C-47(40). All public school units located within that county shall comply with the plan developed by the county board of education." SECTION 4.(c) This section is effective when it becomes law, and applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. County boards of education shall adopt the state of emergency plan required under this section by October 1, 2019. PART V. SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER DEFINED/TRAINING STANDARDS/REPORTS SECTION 5.(a) Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 115C-105.70. School resource officer. (a) A school resource officer is any law enforcement officer assigned to one or more public schools, at least 20 hours per week, to assist with school security, safety, emergency preparedness, emergency response, or any other responsibility assigned by the school or law enforcement agency. (b) All school resource officers must comply with any continuing education training requirements, as established by subsection (c) of this section. A law enforcement officer who did not serve as a school resource officer during the 2019-2020 school year shall also complete the initial training as established by subsection (c) of this section. (c) The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission, in collaboration with the Center for Safer Schools, shall establish initial training and continuing education standards for school resource officers. These standards shall, at a minimum, include training on the following topics: mental health, students with disabilities, and crisis intervention and deescalation." SECTION 5.(b) G.S. 17C-6(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: "(19) Establish initial training and continuing education training standards for school resource officers, as set forth in G.S. 115C-105.70." SECTION 5.(c) G.S. 17E-4(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: "(17) Establish initial training and continuing education training standards for school resource officers, as set forth in G.S. 115C-105.70." SECTION 5.(d) The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission, in collaboration with the Center for Safer Schools, shall establish initial training standards for school resource officers no later than January 15, 2020. SECTION 5.(e) Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 115C-105.71. School resource officer reports. (a) Each public school unit shall report by September 15, 2019, and annually thereafter, in writing to the Center for Safer Schools the number of school resource officers and the placement of each school resource officer in the public school unit. This report shall include the source of funding and method of employment for each school resource officer position. (b) The Center for Safer Schools shall report by November 15, 2019, and annually thereafter, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee an executive summary and the disaggregated data for each public school unit regarding the information reported by public school units pursuant to subsection (a) of this section." House Select Committee on School Safety Page 40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 SECTION 5.(f) Subsection (a) of this section is effective when it becomes law and applies to school resource officers employed beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. The remainder of this section is effective when it becomes law. PART VI. SCHOOL BUILDING VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT. SECTION 6.(a) Article 8C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 115C-105.52A. Facility vulnerability assessments. (a) At least once annually, each governing body of a public school unit shall require each school under its control to complete a facility vulnerability assessment for each school building. (b) The Center for Safer Schools, in collaboration with the Department of Public Instruction, Division of School Operations, shall develop a facility vulnerability assessment tool. This tool shall be used by public school units when completing a facility vulnerability assessment." SECTION 6.(b) G.S. 115C-105.49A(b), as amended by Section 1(d) of this act, reads as rewritten: "(b) In constructing the SRRMS, the Division of Emergency Management and the Center for Safer Schools shall leverage the existing enterprise risk management database, the School Risk Management Planning tool managed by the Division. The Division shall also leverage the public school unit and participating nonpublic school schematic diagrams of school facilities. Where technically feasible, the SRRMS shall integrate any anonymous tip lines established pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.51 and any 911-initiated panic alarm systems authorized as part of a SRMP pursuant to G.S. 115C-47(40). Where technically feasible, the SRRMS shall integrate any facility vulnerability assessments as part of an SRMP pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.52A.The Division and the Center for Safer Schools shall collaborate with the Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina 911 Board in the design, implementation, and maintenance of the SRRMS." SECTION 6.(c) This section is effective when it becomes law. The Center for Safer Schools and the Department of Public Instruction shall develop the facility vulnerability assessment tool by January 15, 2020. Each governing body of a public school unit shall require each school under its control to complete a facility vulnerability assessment for each school building before the end of the 2019-2020 school year and annually thereafter. PART VII. EFFECTIVE DATE. SECTION 7. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 41 This page intentionally left blank. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 42 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2019 H D BILL DRAFT 2019-TCz-6 [v.2] (THIS IS A DRAFT AND IS NOT READY FOR INTRODUCTION) 11/30/2018 01:47:07 PM Short Title: Continue Study to Improve School Safety. (Public) Sponsors: Referred to: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT CREATE THE HOUSE STUDY COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1.(a) The House Study Committee on School Safety (Committee) is created. The purpose of the Committee is to continue the work of the House Select Committee on School Safety in examining the current safety standards and procedures in both elementary, secondary, and institutions of higher education to ensure the highest level of quality and safety for North Carolina students, teachers, and other school personnel. SECTION 1.(b) The Committee shall consist of 41 members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall appoint two co-chairs from among the membership. The co-chairs shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed by the Speaker. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the Speaker. SECTION 1.(c) The Committee shall meet upon the call of the co-chairs. SECTION 1.(d) A quorum shall be a majority of the Committee members. SECTION 1.(e) The Committee shall study issues related to current safety standards and procedures, mental health, and school mental health personnel in elementary and secondary schools. The Committee may also study issues related to safety and mental health for North Carolina institutions of higher education. The Committee shall consider sources of funding for initiatives related to school safety, include investigation of federal funding that can be leveraged to support these initiatives. The Committee may consult with public schools, local governments, community colleges, and constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina on processes and procedures that have proven to be useful in unsafe situations in school. The Committee may seek information from experts in the fields of education, law enforcement, mental health, crisis management, and any others deemed appropriate by the co-chairs. The Committee may study any other issue deemed relevant by the co-chairs to the charge of the Committee. SECTION 1.(f) The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120-19 and Article 5A of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes. The Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. Members of the Committee shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120-3.1. The expenses of the Committee shall be paid upon the written approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives pursuant to G.S. 120‑32.02(c) and G.S. 120‑35 from funds available to the House of Representatives for its operation. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 43 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 The Legislative Services Committee, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The Director of Legislative Assistants of the House of Representatives shall assign clerical support to the Task Force. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services, as provided by G.S. 120-32.02. SECTION 1.(g) The Committee may submit an interim report on the results of its study, including any proposed legislation, by May 1, 2020, to the members of the House of Representatives by filing a copy of the report with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Legislative Library. The Committee shall submit a final report on the results of its study, including any proposed legislation, by December 31, 2020, to the members of the House of Representatives by filing a copy of the report with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Legislative Library. The Committee shall terminate on December 31, 2020, or upon the filing of its report, whichever occurs first. SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law. House Select Committee on School Safety Page 44