TITLE 16
Education
CHAPTER 16-21
Health and Safety of Pupils
SECTION 16-21-23
§ 16-21-23 School safety teams, school
crisis response teams, and school safety assessments.
(a) Each school district of each town, city, and regional school department
shall conduct a school safety assessment in conjunction with local police,
fire, school safety team pursuant to the provisions of this § 16-21-23 and
any other expert said school department deems necessary. The assessment shall
examine the current status of each school building's safety and shall be
performed within thirty (30) days of passage of this act, and every three (3)
years thereafter. Assessments performed within a year of the date of passage of
this act shall satisfy this requirement. All meetings regarding the school
safety assessment are not subject to the open meetings law pursuant to chapter
46 of title 42, and documents produced including, but not limited to, meeting
minutes and the school safety assessment are not subject to the access to
public records law pursuant to chapter 2 of title 38.
(b) The school committee of each town, city, and regional
school department shall review and adopt in executive session a comprehensive
school safety plan regarding crisis intervention, emergency response, and
management. The plan shall be developed by a school safety team comprised of
representatives of the school committee, representatives of student, teacher,
and parent organizations, school safety personnel, school administration, and
members of local law enforcement, fire, and emergency personnel. Members of the
school safety team shall be appointed by the school committee and/or school
superintendent of the town, city, or regional school district. In creating the
school safety plan, the school safety team(s) shall consult the model school
safety plan developed by the department of elementary and secondary education
pursuant to § 16-21-23.1.
(c) The school crisis response team shall be comprised of
those selected school personnel willing to serve as members of a psychological
response team to address the psychological and emotional needs of the school
community, and may seek mental health resources from the department of
elementary and secondary education. Members of the school crisis response team
may coordinate mental health services for those students and school employees
affected by acts of violence in the schools, using resources available through
the department of elementary and secondary education.
History of Section.
(P.L. 2001, ch. 151, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 151, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch.
211, § 1.)