S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
7945
I N S E N A T E
March 12, 2018
___________
Introduced by Sen. FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to creating the office of
safe schools; and making an appropriation therefor
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 2815
to read as follows:
§ 2815. OFFICE OF SAFE SCHOOLS. THERE IS HEREBY CREATED WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT THE OFFICE OF SAFE SCHOOLS ("THE OFFICE"). THE OFFICE SHALL
SERVE AS A CENTRAL REPOSITORY FOR BEST PRACTICES, TRAINING STANDARDS,
AND COMPLIANCE OVERSIGHT IN ALL MATTERS REGARDING SCHOOL SAFETY AND
SECURITY, INCLUDING PREVENTION EFFORTS, INTERVENTION EFFORTS, AND EMER-
GENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING. THE OFFICE SHALL:
1. ESTABLISH AND UPDATE AS NECESSARY A SCHOOL SECURITY RISK ASSESSMENT
TOOL FOR USE BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE OFFICE SHALL MAKE THE SECURITY
RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL AVAILABLE FOR USE BY CHARTER SCHOOLS;
2. PROVIDE ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO SCHOOL
DISTRICT PERSONNEL;
3. PROVIDE A COORDINATED AND INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO PROVIDING
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS ON SAFETY AND
SECURITY AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS FINDINGS;
4. DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A SCHOOL SAFETY SPECIALIST TRAINING PROGRAM
FOR SCHOOL SAFETY SPECIALISTS APPOINTED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE OFFICE
SHALL DEVELOP THE TRAINING PROGRAM BASED ON NATIONAL AND STATE BEST
PRACTICES ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY AND MUST INCLUDE ACTIVE SHOOTER
TRAINING. THE OFFICE SHALL DEVELOP TRAINING MODULES IN BOTH TRADITIONAL
AND ONLINE FORMATS. A SCHOOL SAFETY SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
SHALL BE AWARDED TO A SCHOOL SAFETY SPECIALIST WHO SATISFACTORILY
COMPLETES THE TRAINING REQUIRED BY RULES OF THE OFFICE;
5. REVIEW AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SECURITY RISK ASSESS-
MENTS. THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONTRACT WITH SECURITY PERSONNEL, CONSULTING
ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, OR OTHER SAFETY AND SECURITY EXPERTS THE DEPART-
MENT DEEMS NECESSARY FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY CONSULTANT SERVICES;
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15094-01-8
S. 7945 2
6. PROVIDE DATA ANALYTIC RESOURCES TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT FACILITATE
THE MONITORING OF SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITIES TO PROVIDE EARLY-DETECTION
INFORMATION OF POSSIBLE THREATS TO STUDENTS' PERSONAL HEALTH AND THE
SAFETY OF THE SCHOOL; AND
7. AWARD GRANTS TO SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY SECURITY OF SCHOOL
BUILDINGS BASED UPON RECOMMENDATIONS SECURITY RISK ASSESSMENT DEVELOPED
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION.
§ 2. The sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000), or so much thereof
as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the department of educa-
tion out of any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the
credit of the local assistance account, not otherwise appropriated, and
made immediately available, for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of this act. Such moneys shall be payable on the audit and
warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by the
commissioner of education in the manner prescribed by law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect August 1, 2018.