HB 447

This bill would create the Alabama Task Force on School Safety and Security and would authorize the task force to annually study the current educational and safety laws, rules, and policies of this state in order to assist the Legislature in making effective changes to protect and benefit the citizens of this state

Relating to schools; to create the Alabama Task Force on School Safety and Security; to require the task force to annually study the educational and safety laws, rules, and policies of this state; and to require the task force to make legislative recommendations to the Legislature when necessary.

Section 1

The Legislature finds all of the following: (1) With recent shootings at many schools, colleges, and universities around the nation, the threat of violence at our public schools, colleges, and universities in the State of Alabama is an issue that deserves significant attention and review. (2) The State of Alabama has a responsibility to ensure that our schools across the state are as safe, secure, and protected as possible. (3) An annual comprehensive study of the educational and safety laws, rules, and policies of the state will help the Legislature make equitable, meaningful, and effective changes for the well-being of our students and citizens.

Section 2

(a) The Alabama Task Force on School Safety and Security is created. (b) The membership of the task force shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state. (c) The membership of the task force shall consist of all of the following: (1) The Governor, or his or her designee. (2) A teacher appointed by the Governor. (3) The Superintendent of the Alabama Department of Education, or his or her designee. (4) The Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, or his or her designee. (5) The president of a four-year university appointed by the Alabama Council of College and University Presidents. (6) The president of a two-year college appointed by the Alabama Council of College and University Presidents. (7) The Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, or his or her designee. (8) The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, or his or her designee. (9) The Director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, or his or her designee. (10) The Secretary of Information Technology, or his or her designee. (11) A local education superintendent appointed by the School Superintendents Association of Alabama. (12) A member of a local school board appointed by the Alabama School Boards Association. (13) A certified school resource officer appointed by the Alabama Association of School Resource Officers. (14) A licensed school counselor appointed by the Alabama School Counselor Association. (15) A sheriff appointed by the Alabama Sheriffs Association. (16) A police chief appointed by the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police. (17) A local emergency management director appointed by the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers. (18) The Chair of the House Education Policy Committee. (19) The Chair of the Senate Education Committee. (20) A member appointed by the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. (21) A member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate. (22) An attorney specializing in education law appointed by the Alabama Law Institute. (23) The State Fire Marshal, or his or her designee. (24) An active law enforcement officer with experience in active shooter and other emergency situations in schools appointed by the Alabama Tactical Officers Association. (d)(1) Appointments to the task force shall be made within 30 days after the effective date of this act.

Section 3

The task force shall have all of the following duties: (1) Complete a comprehensive annual review and assessment of state laws, rules, protocols, and minimum standards in place concerning school safety and security. (2) Identify gaps in school safety and security that need to be addressed. (3) As needed, submit recommendations for immediate, achievable legislative actions to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the appropriate legislative committees to ensure that public schools across the State of Alabama are as safe, secure, and protected as possible.

Section 4

(a) The task force shall hold its first meeting no later than August 1, 2018, with the date, time, and location of the meeting designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (b) The task force shall meet at least once, and annually thereafter, to determine if any recommendations should be made to the Legislature to enhance school safety. (c) At the first meeting, the task force shall elect a chair, vice chair, and other officers as determined by the task force, and shall set dates, times, and locations of subsequent meetings. (d) The House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Legislative Services Agency shall provide the necessary staff and support to the task force to perform its duties as needed. (e)(1) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses in attending meetings of the task force according to the policies and procedures of their respective appointing authority. (2) Legislative members of the task force shall be entitled to their legislative compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for each day in attendance of a task force meeting in accordance with Amendment 871 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901.

Section 5

If the task force has any legislative recommendations, the task force shall submit to the Legislature its findings and recommendations in writing by December 31 of each year.

Section 6

This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.