Mandates university and building level educational institution safety plans for possible acts of violence occurring at educational institutions within the state

Section 1 of the bill requires adoption of a comprehensive state-wide university safety plan and building level educational institution safety plan regarding crisis intervention, emergency response and management.

Section 2 of the bill directs that the state-wide university plan shall include at a minimum policies and procedures for responding to direct or implied threats of violence by students, teachers, visitors, or other university personnel. Additionally, policies and procedures must be promulgated to respond to acts of violence by these same individuals. Establish prevention and intervention strategies with state and local law enforcement officials. Policy and procedures must be established for the dissemination of informative materials regarding the early detection of potentially violent behaviors. Also, policy and procedures for annual safety training for staff and students. Establish protocols for responding to bomb threats, hostage-takings, intrusions and kidnappings. Additionally, create strategies for improving communication among students and between students and staff and reporting of potentially violent incidents and establishing anonymous reporting mechanisms for violence.

Section 3 of the bill directs building level educational institution's safety plan which shall include policies and procedures for the safe evacuation of students, teachers, other personnel, and visitors in the event of a serious violent incident or other emergency. Additionally, there is a designation of an emergency response team comprised of the institution's personnel, local law enforcement officials, and representatives from local regional and/or state emergency response representatives. Additionally, establish an internal and external communication system in emergencies including but not limited to public address systems for classrooms and dorms.

Section 4 of the bill allows the state-wide university safety team to be appointed by the board of regents.

Section 5 of the bill requires the safety plan be reviewed by the educational institution's safety team on at least an annual basis.

Section 6 of the bill requires the safety plans to be available for public comment at least 30 days prior to their adoption.

Section 7 of the bill allows the commissioner to grant a waiver of the requirements of this section to any educational institution for a period up to two years from the date of enactment upon a finding by the commissioner that the educational institution had adopted a comprehensive educational institutional safety plan which is in substantial compliance with the requirements of this section. Section 2 appoints the effective date.

Justification

On April 6, 2007 at least 32 people perished at the hands of mentally ill gunman. This individual was also a student at Virginia Technological Institute, which was the scene of the shooting. Campus shootings have unfortunately become a very real danger for today's students and teachers. Mandating that each and every institution of higher learning have an emergency response plan and team that includes a internal and external communication system such as a public address system will assist students and faculty in the event they face an equally tragic situation.

Legislative history

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : Not applicable.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of September 2010, provided that the university and educational institutions shall be in full compliance with the provisions of this act by March 1, 2011.