Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes an anonymous school safety tip line program, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Unit of School Safety and Security within the Division of Criminal Investigation to administer a statewide school safety program that includes methods of anonymously reporting unsafe, potentially harmful, violent, or criminal activities and threats in schools (Sec. 1).

• Requires the methods of reporting to include, at minimum, a telephone landline, website, mobile telephone application, and text messaging (Sec. 1).

• Requires the unit to promptly share necessary information received through the school safety program with the appropriate law enforcement agency, public safety agency, or school district official (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the identity of the reporting individual to remain unknown to all individuals and entities unless that individual voluntarily discloses his or her identity (Sec. 1).

• Requires all records containing tips or reports received by the school safety program to be confidential (Sec. 1).

• Appropriates $410,000 from the School Foundation Program to the attorney general for the salary and benefits of 5 full-time employees for the unit (Sec. 2). 

• Appropriates $225,000 from the School Foundation Program and from other existing appropriations to the Department of Education to the attorney general to fund the operation of the unit, including obtaining necessary support services and purchasing equipment (Sec. 2).

• Repeals the provisions of this bill on June 30, 2019 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes an anonymous school safety program, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Unit of School Safety and Security which is required to administer a comprehensive statewide school safety and security program that includes methods of anonymous reporting concerning unsafe, violent, or criminal activities and threats (Sec. 1).

• Requires the methods of reporting to include at minimum a telephone landline, website, mobile telephone application, and text messaging (Sec. 1).

• Requires the identity of the reporting individual to remain unknown to all individuals and entities unless that individual voluntarily discloses his or her identity (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the attorney general to create 3 full-time positions for the unit and use $265,000 from the School Foundation Program Account for the salary and benefits of the employees in those positions (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the attorney general to use $225,000 from the School Foundation Program Account to obtain necessary support services and purchase the equipment and software necessary for the operation of the unit (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text