BILL NUMBER: S5378
SPONSOR: ASHBY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law and the education law, in relation to
establishing the school safety specialist act
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would direct the Division of Criminal Justice. Services to
create a new certification program for School Safety Specialists, and
allow school districts the ability to hire them.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one names the act "School Safety Specialist Act".
Section two amends the executive law to direct the Division of Criminal
Justice Services (DCJS) to create a new certification program for School
Safety Specialists. DCJS is tasked with developing the certification
program and its content and methodology, as well as the creation of the
application and certification process and the maintenance and adminis-
tration of such program.
The topics of said training shall include but not be limited to: how to
prevent, prepare and respond to school safety incidents; how to create a
school culture of safety; emergency preparedness planning; school threat
assessment; situational awareness; strategic crisis leadership and risk
communication; school-based mental health mediation; drug prevention and
awareness; cyberbullying; predatory sexual behavior; substance use;
violence; suicide prevention and mediation; and gang resistance.
Section 3 allows any public or nonpublic school to employ a school safe-
ty specialist for the purpose of providing improved public safety and
security on school grounds. A school district may employ as many as
deemed necessary.
A school safety specialist may: propose and enforce policies and admin-
istrative actions related to school safety; utilize any technology to
implement safety; serve as a liaison with other school officials and
community agencies, including but not limited to, other law enforcement
agencies, courts, health care entities, and mental health entities;
develop and execute strategies for prevention, response and recovery
efforts for incidents/and or emergency situations occurring on school
grounds and/or involving students, faculty, administration or visitors
to the school; assist in school emergency drills and create new school
safety plans; and provide educational and mentoring services to
students.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
School safety remains a paramount concern for students, parents, teach-
ers, administrators and staff. As changes in technology accelerate and
shift the challenges facing our children, our approach to school safety
must be professional, comprehensive and ever-evolving.
Allowing administrators to hire a dedicated School Safety Specialist
means that the security of our campuses and the well-being of our kids
won't fall through the bureaucratic cracks. Requiring these profes-
sionals to be certified by DCJS will promote competency, ensure account-
ability and create exacting standards commensurate with the importance
of the job.
From educating kids about online safety to developing and implementing
emergency response drills and plans, School Safety Specialists will
enhance student life and, if called upon, save students' lives.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24- S.7237, referred to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 120th day after it shall have become a
law; however effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal
of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act
are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective
date.