Bill Text - SB141 (2019)

(New Title) establishing a committee to study violence in schools.


Revision: July 3, 2019, 10:39 a.m.

SB 141 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

 

03/07/2019   0646s

23May2019... 1824h

06/27/2019   2550EBA

 

2019 SESSION

19-1097

08/05

 

SENATE BILL 141

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study violence in schools.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Kahn, Dist 10; Sen. Morgan, Dist 23; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Ward, Dist 8

 

COMMITTEE: Education and Workforce Development

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a committee to study violence in schools.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/07/2019   0646s

23May2019... 1824h

06/27/2019   2550EBA 19-1097

08/05

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study violence in schools.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Findings.  The general court makes the following findings:

I.  There has been rising concern about violence in the schools of New Hampshire and the nation, along with its effects on teachers, staff, and students.

II.  Effective legislative activities in the area of public education require a thorough understanding of the challenges involving student behavior facing our public schools.  

2  Committee Established.  There is established a committee to study violence in New Hampshire schools.

3  Membership and Compensation.

I.  The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a)  One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(b)  Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

II.  Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

4  Duties.

I.  The committee shall examine the following issues:

(a)  The extent to which violence and other problematic student behavior are an issue in New Hampshire schools.

(b)  Changes over time in the rate and types of violent and other problematic student behavior.

(c)  The causes of such behavior.

(d)  The adequacy of existing laws, regulations, policies, and practices to address violence and its causes, effective interventions, and appropriate administrative responses.  The review shall include RSA 135-F, RSA 193, RSA 193-D, RSA 281-A:64, Ed 200-1200, and LAB 600 and 1400.

(e)  The availability of effective interventions to prevent and respond to dangerous and other problem student behaviors and improve school climate.  

II.  During its examination, the committee shall:

(a)  Review available research and data.

(b)  Accept testimony from school personnel and advocacy organizations, along with experts in the fields of education, school climate and safety, and student behavioral interventions.

(c)  Review other states' educator safety laws, including but not limited to New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Louisiana, and Texas.

III.  Following its review, the committee shall make recommendations for further legislation to improve school climate and safety for students, faculty, and staff in New Hampshire schools.  It shall also make recommendations for improved reporting and data collection, if its review finds that such improvements are necessary.

5  Chairperson; Quorum.  The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the senate member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

6  Report.  The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2019.

7  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.