CHAPTER 67
H.P. 232 - L.D. 269
An Act to Implement the Recommendations Relating to Education Made by the Joint Study Committee to Study Bomb Threats in Maine Schools
Mandate preamble. This measure requires one or more local units of government to expand or modify activities so as to necessitate additional expenditures from local revenues but does not provide funding for at least 90% of those expenditures. Pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 21, two thirds of all of the members elected to each House have determined it necessary to enact this measure.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the number and frequency of school bomb threats throughout the State during recent months has increased significantly; and
Whereas, bomb threats occurred at schools in 14 of the State's 16 counties during the 1999-2000 school year; and
Whereas, school bomb threats represent a significant danger to the health and safety of the students and staffs of schools throughout the State; and
Whereas, significant public resources are expended in responding to school bomb threats, particularly by schools and by municipalities; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §263 is enacted to read:
§263. Response to school bomb threats
1. Prototype guidelines, policies and protocols. The commissioner, in consultation with state and local emergency services officials and representatives of school personnel and school board members, shall develop prototypical guidelines, policies and protocols for school administrative units to present to their communities when those communities are considering implementing local policies that concern prevention of and response to school bomb threats. The prototypical guidelines, policies and protocols developed by the commissioner must be made available to all schools in the State no later than December 31, 2001.
2. Reporting of school bomb threats. Beginning with the 2001-2002 school year, all public schools and private schools enrolling more than 60% of their students at public expense in the State must report each bomb threat incident to the commissioner. The initial report must be made to the office of the superintendent within the school administrative unit or to the headmaster of the private school. The office of the superintendent or headmaster receiving a report of a bomb threat at a school must report that threat to the commissioner within 2 business days of the occurrence of the bomb threat. The commissioner shall report annually on the nature, frequency and impacts of school bomb threats in the State's schools to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §1001, sub-§§17 and 18 are enacted to read:
17. School bomb threat response policies. Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, each school board in the State must have adopted a school bomb threat policy that is consistent with the prototypical policies developed by the commissioner under section 263.
18. Bomb threat information in student handbooks. Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, each school board shall include in its student handbook a section that addresses in detail the school's bomb threat policies and protocols. The section of the handbook must contain an explanation of the portions of the policies and protocols relevant to students and their families and explain to the students the educational and legal consequences of making a bomb threat to a school.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective May 2, 2001.
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