Under current law, school districts are not required to inform parents or guardians about incidents when a weapon is brought onto school grounds or related activities. In fact, districts are only required to report to the Department of Education incidents “relating to expulsions for possession of a weapon on school grounds, school-sponsored activities or public conveyances providing transportation to a school or school-sponsored activity.” 
 
There should be a much higher level of transparency around weapons brought to schools. 
 
We will be reintroducing SB 971 from last session to increase the reporting requirements around these incidents. Our goal is to ensure and ensure that parents, guardians, and school employees are informed in a timely manner of any incidents with the potential to affect their children and the safety of the school. 
 
We hope that you will join me in sponsoring this important legislation. Previously, SB 971 passed the Senate 47-3 and was cosponsored by Senators Argall, Dush, and Collett.