CT
Connecticut House Bill HB07110

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB07110 Compare Versions

OldNewDifferences
11
22
3-LCO \\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07110-R02-
3+LCO \\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07110-R01-
44 HB.docx
5-1 of 2
5+1 of 8
66
77 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 7110
88 January Session, 2019
99
1010
1111
1212
1313
14-AN ACT CONCERNING RE SOURCES TO ASSIST SC HOOL
15-DISTRICTS IN IMPROVING SCHOOL CLIMATE.
14+AN ACT CONCERNING EN HANCED CLASSROOM SAF ETY AND
15+SCHOOL CLIMATE.
1616 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1717 Assembly convened:
1818
19-Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2019) The Department of 1
20-Education may, within available appropriations, (1) develop and 2
21-disseminate strategies to assist local and regional boards of education 3
22-in (A) enhancing their safe school climate plans, developed pursuant to 4
23-section 10-222d of the general statutes, (B) reducing incidents of school 5
24-violence, and (C) promoting trauma sensitivity in schools, and (2) 6
25-make available to school districts designated as alliance districts 7
26-pursuant to section 10-262u of the general statutes, resources to 8
27-promote systemic improvement of school climate through training, 9
28-strategies for connecting youth to appropriate services and fostering 10
29-trauma-sensitive school communities. 11
19+Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2019) (a) Not later than July 1, 1
20+2020, each local and regional board of education shall develop a 2
21+classroom safety plan for the schools under the jurisdiction of such 3
22+board. Each board shall implement a classroom safety plan for the 4
23+school year commencing July 1, 2020, and each school year thereafter. 5
24+Such classroom safety plan shall include: 6
25+(1) Protocols and supports for enhancing classroom safety, and 7
26+addressing incidents that (A) require the temporary removal of a 8
27+majority of the students and staff to reduce the likelihood of injury, (B) 9
28+result in an injury that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid 10
29+and that may include emergency room or doctor visits, or (C) result in 11
30+an injury that (i) has been caused by the same person on more than one 12
31+occasion, such as by means of kicking, biting or punching, (ii) has been 13
32+verified by the school nurse or other medical personnel, and (iii) may 14
33+not result in an emergency room or doctor visit. Such protocols and 15
34+supports shall include: 16
35+(I) A process for designating an administrator who is responsible for 17
36+mobilizing the crisis intervention team, described in subdivision (2) of 18 Substitute Bill No. 7110
37+
38+
39+LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07110-
40+R01-HB.docx }
41+2 of 8
42+
43+subsection (o) of section 10-236b of the general statutes, in the absence 19
44+of the school principal; 20
45+(II) The location where a student who is responsible for or involved 21
46+in such incident is sent when such student is temporarily removed 22
47+from the classroom, in accordance with section 10-233b of the general 23
48+statutes, in order to ensure the safety of such student and the other 24
49+students and staff in the classroom, and which shall include access to 25
50+appropriate professional staff, and which may include, but need not be 26
51+limited to, therapeutic resources, instructional materials and 27
52+technology, and any other resources conducive to addressing the 28
53+temporary needs of such student; 29
54+(III) A plan, developed in accordance with the provisions of the safe 30
55+school climate plan developed for the school district pursuant to 31
56+section 10-222d of the general statutes, to generally and proactively 32
57+lessen negative behaviors, enhance resiliency, increase the use of 33
58+deescalation strategies, and improve social and peer-relations skills, 34
59+which shall include training and may include, but need not be limited 35
60+to, therapeutic supports, restorative practices, protocols and support 36
61+provided by the Department of Education pursuant to section 3 of this 37
62+act, trauma-informed instruction, or strategies to improve the school 38
63+climate; and 39
64+(IV) A process for ensuring that such protocols and supports 40
65+described in this subdivision comply with all state and federal laws 41
66+and regulations for students who receive special education services or 42
67+an accommodation for a disability, and that any recommendations for 43
68+such students are consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 44
69+of 1973, as amended from time to time, and section 10-76d of the 45
70+general statutes, and are consistent with the individualized education 46
71+program for such student developed by such student's planning and 47
72+placement team or revised with the advice and consent of such 48
73+planning and placement team; 49
74+(2) A notification process concerning incidents described in 50 Substitute Bill No. 7110
75+
76+
77+LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07110-
78+R01-HB.docx }
79+3 of 8
80+
81+subdivision (1) of this subsection that occur within a classroom that 51
82+requires the principal of the school to (A) notify the parents or 52
83+guardians of the students who were engaged in or were injured during 53
84+such incident, provided such notification complies with the provisions 54
85+of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 USC 55
86+1232g, as amended from time to time, and (B) discuss at a meeting 56
87+with the parents or guardians of the students who were engaged in 57
88+such incident the specific supports or interventions undertaken by the 58
89+school to address such incident, provided such meeting is conducted 59
90+in a mutually agreed upon location that is convenient for the parent or 60
91+guardian, which may be at the school or by means of a telephone 61
92+conversation or video conference; 62
93+(3) A procedure for each school to document and maintain records 63
94+relating to all reports and investigations of incidents described in 64
95+subdivision (1) of this subsection that occur at the school, including the 65
96+number of such incidents and grade level of the students involved in 66
97+such incidents; 67
98+(4) A prohibition against discrimination or retaliation against any 68
99+individual who reports or assists in the investigation of an incident 69
100+described in subdivision (1) of this subsection; 70
101+(5) A requirement that an administrator conduct a meeting with the 71
102+teacher who witnesses an incident described in subdivision (1) of this 72
103+subsection, not later than two school days following such incident, to 73
104+discuss and determine the supports and interventions necessary to 74
105+support the student and teacher, provided such meeting does not 75
106+violate the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education 76
107+Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as amended from time to time, section 10-76d 77
108+of the general statutes and the individualized education program for 78
109+such student developed by such student's planning and placement 79
110+team; 80
111+(6) A requirement that notice of an incident described in subdivision 81
112+(1) of this subsection be sent, not later than two school days following 82 Substitute Bill No. 7110
113+
114+
115+LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07110-
116+R01-HB.docx }
117+4 of 8
118+
119+such incident, to the planning and placement team, if any, of a student 83
120+who was involved in such incident for the purpose of determining any 84
121+supports and interventions for such student; and 85
122+(7) A requirement that any student who is not receiving special 86
123+education and related services and who engages in (A) two or more 87
124+incidents described in subdivision (1) of this subsection, or (B) one or 88
125+more such incidents and whose behavior, attendance or academic 89
126+performance in school is considered unsatisfactory, be referred to a 90
127+planning and placement team to determine eligibility for special 91
128+education and related services pursuant to sections 10-76a to 10-76d, 92
129+inclusive, of the general statutes. 93
130+(b) In the case of a student who is not receiving special education 94
131+and related services, but for whom supports and interventions have 95
132+been provided following an incident described in subdivision (1) of 96
133+subsection (a) of this section, whenever a teacher has continued 97
134+concerns with such supports or interventions, or lack thereof, to 98
135+address such incident, the teacher may request an emergency meeting 99
136+of the scientific research-based intervention team or crisis intervention 100
137+team, as appropriate, to review the response to such incident. Such 101
138+emergency meeting shall occur not later than three school days 102
139+following such request. The committee shall review such supports or 103
140+interventions determined pursuant to subdivision (5) or (6) of 104
141+subsection (a) of this section, and may revise such supports or 105
142+interventions to address the concerns of the teacher. There shall be no 106
143+discrimination or retaliation against any teacher who requests a 107
144+meeting pursuant to this subsection. 108
145+(c) Any supports or interventions provided under this section to any 109
146+student who receives special education or related services or an 110
147+accommodation for a disability shall be determined in accordance with 111
148+and comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, 112
149+including, but not limited to, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 113
150+1973, as amended from time to time, the Individuals with Disabilities 114
151+Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as amended from time to time, 115 Substitute Bill No. 7110
152+
153+
154+LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07110-
155+R01-HB.docx }
156+5 of 8
157+
158+section 10-76d of the general statutes and the individualized education 116
159+program for such student developed by such student's planning and 117
160+placement team. 118
161+(d) Each local and regional board of education shall submit an 119
162+annual report to the Department of Education concerning all incidents 120
163+described in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section that 121
164+occurred in the classrooms of schools under the jurisdiction of such 122
165+board. Such report shall include the total number of such incidents, the 123
166+grade levels of students involved in such incidents, and the race and 124
167+category of disability of students involved in such incidents. 125
168+Sec. 2. Section 10-222h of the general statutes is repealed and the 126
169+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019): 127
170+(a) The Department of Education shall [, within available 128
171+appropriations,] (1) document school districts' articulated needs for 129
172+technical assistance and training related to safe learning and bullying, 130
173+(2) collect information on the prevention and intervention strategies 131
174+used by schools to reduce the incidence of bullying, improve school 132
175+climate and improve reporting outcomes, (3) develop or recommend 133
176+model safe school climate plans for grades kindergarten to twelve, 134
177+inclusive, and (4) in collaboration with the Connecticut Association of 135
178+Schools, disseminate to all public schools grade-level appropriate 136
179+school climate assessment instruments, approved by the department, 137
180+to be used by local and regional boards of education for the purposes 138
181+of collecting information described in subdivision (2) of this subsection 139
182+so that the department can monitor bullying prevention efforts over 140
183+time and compare each district's progress to state trends. Such school 141
184+climate assessment instruments shall (A) include surveys that contain 142
185+uniform grade-level appropriate questions that collect information 143
186+about students' perspectives and opinions about the school climate at 144
187+the school, and (B) allow students to complete and submit such 145
188+assessment and survey anonymously. 146
189+(b) On or before [February 1, 2014] July 1, 2020, and annually 147 Substitute Bill No. 7110
190+
191+
192+LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07110-
193+R01-HB.docx }
194+6 of 8
195+
196+thereafter, the department shall, in accordance with the provisions of 148
197+section 11-4a, submit a report on the status of its efforts pursuant to 149
198+this section including, but not limited to, the number of verified acts of 150
199+bullying and incidents described in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of 151
200+section 1 of this act in the state, an analysis of the responsive action 152
201+taken by school districts, an analysis of student responses on the 153
202+uniform grade-level appropriate questions described in subparagraph 154
203+(A) of subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this section and any 155
204+recommendations it may have regarding additional activities or 156
205+funding to prevent bullying and incidents described in subdivision (1) 157
206+of subsection (a) of section 1 of this act in schools and improve school 158
207+climate and safety to the joint standing committees of the General 159
208+Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and 160
209+children and to the speaker of the House of Representatives, the 161
210+president pro tempore of the Senate and the majority and minority 162
211+leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 163
212+(c) Not later than January 1, 2020, the department shall procure or 164
213+otherwise invite requests for proposals to develop and implement a 165
214+biennial state-wide school climate survey, and thereafter enter into a 166
215+contract to carry out the provisions of this section and subsection (d) of 167
216+section 10-222d. The state-wide school climate survey shall at a 168
217+minimum: 169
218+(1) Seek confidential responses from school employees, including 170
219+principals, assistant principals, teachers, school social workers, school 171
220+psychologists, school nurses, school counselors and school 172
221+paraprofessionals, and, in a separate survey, seek confidential 173
222+responses from parents; and 174
223+(2) Solicit information from school employees and parents, as 175
224+deemed appropriate and relevant for such respondent, on (A) the 176
225+learning environment for students, including academic supports and 177
226+resources, school safety and security and outreach to parents, (B) the 178
227+teaching environment, including resources, supports and professional 179
228+development for teachers, administrators and other educators, teacher 180 Substitute Bill No. 7110
229+
230+
231+LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07110-
232+R01-HB.docx }
233+7 of 8
234+
235+leadership and collaborative planning time, (C) strategies for 181
236+establishing a positive and welcoming environment for students, 182
237+parents of students, teachers and administrators of all races, ethnicities 183
238+and cultural backgrounds, and (D) supports and strategies for the 184
239+development and retention of new teachers, minority teachers and 185
240+administrators, school psychologists and school counselors. 186
241+[(c)] (d) The department may accept private donations for the 187
242+purposes of this section. 188
243+Sec. 3. (Effective from passage) The Department of Education shall 189
244+solicit public input regarding the development and implementation of 190
245+the biennial state-wide school climate survey described in subsection 191
246+(c) of section 10-222h of the general statutes, as amended by this act. 192
247+Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2019) The Department of Education 193
248+shall, within available appropriations, (1) develop and disseminate 194
249+strategies to assist local and regional boards of education in (A) 195
250+enhancing their safe school climate plans, developed pursuant to 196
251+section 10-222d of the general statutes, and classroom safety plans, 197
252+developed pursuant to section 1 of this act, (B) reducing incidents of 198
253+school violence, and (C) promoting trauma sensitivity in schools, and 199
254+(2) make available to school districts designated as alliance districts 200
255+pursuant to section 10-262u of the general statutes, resources to 201
256+promote systemic improvement of school climate through training, 202
257+strategies for connecting youth to appropriate services and fostering 203
258+trauma-sensitive school communities. 204
30259 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
31260 sections:
32261
33262 Section 1 July 1, 2019 New section
34-
35-Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
36-A section was deleted to conform with the deletion of former section 2,
37-and in Section 1(1)(A), "and classroom safety plans, developed
38-pursuant to section 1 of this act" was deleted for consistency.
263+Sec. 2 July 1, 2019 10-222h
264+Sec. 3 from passage New section
265+Sec. 4 July 1, 2019 New section
39266 Substitute Bill No. 7110
40267
41268
42269 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07110-
43-R02-HB.docx }
44-2 of 2
270+R01-HB.docx }
271+8 of 8
45272
46273 ED Joint Favorable Subst. C/R APP
47-APP Joint Favorable Subst.
48274