Bill Summary:

School Safety Committee. Under current law, the safe2tell program is required to provide awareness and educational materials to preschools. The bill repeals this requirement. The bill clarifies that safe2tell does not have to provide information about a call to law enforcement and school personnel if the call was forwarded to the statewide crisis response system. The bill directs the department of law to devise a process and develop standardized protocols so that any communication related to mental health or substance use received by safe2tell may be transferred to the statewide crisis response system. The bill requires the safe2tell program to: Develop training materials outlining appropriate responses to safe2tell tips to ensure standardized messaging; Devise a process so that all calls and texts are received initially by a crisis operator and then non-crisis calls and texts are routed appropriately; Align the process and procedures for tips received via all communication methods; and Conduct an annual advertising campaign regarding awareness, use, and misuse of safe2tell. The bill allows the attorney general to disclose to law enforcement personnel any materials or information obtained through the implementation or operation of the program if the attorney general reasonably deems such disclosure necessary for the prevention of imminent physical harm or serious bodily injury to one or more persons. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to the department of law to implement the bill. (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

CEA Position Rationale: CEA supports updating Safe2Tell to ensure the system is working optimally to support student and staff safety, ensuring that both crisis and non-crisis reports are handled appropriately. While striving to protect confidentiality as well as the rights of all students and staff.

Legislative Priorities: Mental Health and Socio-Emotional Health

Tier: 3