Requires that in-service training for school employees on safety and security include component on behavioral threat assessment.
Impact
The implementation of SB S2779 will require each school district to create and maintain these behavioral threat assessment teams, significantly impacting existing training regulations under the State Board of Education. The legislation seeks to standardize safety protocols across schools, promoting a more vigilant and resourceful environment for identifying and mitigating potential threats. By necessitating collaboration among various school personnel, including psychologists, counselors, teachers, and law enforcement liaisons, the bill creates a structured approach for addressing safety concerns holistically.
Summary
Senate Bill S2779 aims to enhance school safety in New Jersey by requiring that in-service training programs for school district employees include a component focused on forming behavioral threat assessment teams within each district. The primary goal of these teams is to identify students who may pose a potential safety risk and to prevent instances of targeted violence. The bill mandates that training for these teams encompass essential skills such as recognizing potential threats and assessing circumstances that might indicate a risk of violence, thereby establishing a proactive approach to school safety management.
Contention
While the bill has garnered support as a necessary measure to bolster school safety, some critics might argue about the implications of enforcing such assessments, particularly concerning the privacy and rights of students. Concerns could be raised regarding how the assessments are conducted and what criteria are used to identify students as potential threats. Furthermore, the need for effective training and clear guidelines will be crucial to ensure that the implementation does not inadvertently lead to stigmatization or unnecessary disciplinary actions against students merely based on subjective assessments.
In student supports, further providing for definitions; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions, for School Safety and Security Committee, for school safety and security assessment providers, for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for school safety and security training and for reporting and memorandum of understanding; in school security, further providing for training, for school resource officers, for school security guards and for duties of commission; in Safe2Say Program, further providing for intent, for definitions, for Safe2Say Program and for annual report; in threat assessment, further providing for definitions, for threat assessment teams and for threat assessment guidelines, training and information materials; and making editorial changes.
Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to the health and safety of public school students and active shooter training for certain peace officers.
Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including certain training for school district personnel and parents of certain students.
Relating to the establishment of school-based behavioral health centers by school districts and a grant program administered by the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission for the operation of those centers.
Relating to the establishment of school-based behavioral health centers by public schools and a grant program administered by the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission for the operation of those centers.