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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 810 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 348
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael F. Rush
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to parental notification in public schools .
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Michael F. RushNorfolk and SuffolkPaul McMurtry11th Norfolk2/8/2023 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 810 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 348
By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 348) of Michael F. Rush and Paul
McMurtry for legislation relative to parental notification in public schools. Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to parental notification in public schools .
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended in Section 48A in line 1 by inserting
2before the word “School”, the following:- “(a)”
3 Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended in Section 48A by inserting in line 22
4after the word “section”, the following:-
5 (b) Parental Notification of Law Enforcement Action on School Grounds
6 Section 1. Definitions
7 For the purpose of this section the following words shall have the following meanings
8 "School grounds", the real property comprising an active and operational elementary or
9secondary school during the regular hours in which school is in session and when students are
10present. 2 of 3
11 ''School resource officer'', a duly sworn municipal police officer with all necessary
12training, up-to-date certificates, including special school resource officer certification as required
13by subsection (b) of section 3 of chapter 6E or a special officer appointed by the chief of police
14charged with: (i) providing law enforcement; (ii) promoting school safety and security services
15to elementary and secondary public schools; and (iii) maintaining a positive school climate for
16all students, families and staff.
17 Section 2.
18 If local or state law enforcement is called to school grounds to make arrests or engage in
19activity to ensure the safety of students or faculty beyond the regular duties undertaken by that
20school’s school resource officer, the principal of that school or superintendent of that school
21district or a designee of said principal or superintendent shall make a report by mail, electronic
22mail, or phone call of the incident to the parents of students who attend the school within twenty-
23four hours of the initial call to law enforcement. This report shall include the following
24information:
25 i.) The time at which law enforcement was called to the school.
26 ii.) The reason for which law enforcement was called, omitting any information which
27could be used to identify specific students or faculty.
28 iii.) The time at which law enforcement officers left school grounds.
29 The report shall not include any information which could be used to identify any specific
30student or faculty member of the school.
31 Section 3. 3 of 3
32 This Section shall not limit the authority of a law enforcement officer to make an arrest
33on school grounds. This Section shall not delay action by law enforcement officers in
34circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to believe that urgent and immediate action
35is necessary to do any of the following:
36 i.) Prevent bodily harm or injury to the student or any other person
37 ii.) Apprehend an armed or fleeing suspect
38 iii.) Prevent the destruction of evidence
39 iv.) Address an emergency or other dangerous situation
40 (c.) This Act shall take effect upon passage.