SF 3042

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/23/2023 08:36am

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a legislative study group on school safety;
requiring a report.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. SCHOOL SAFETY LEGISLATIVE STUDY GROUP.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

A legislative study group is established to make
recommendations to address school safety issues.

Subd. 2.

Members.

(a) The legislative study group on school safety consists of:

(1) six duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives, three
appointed by the speaker of the house and three appointed by the house minority leader,
one of whom must be the current chair of the house of representatives committee with
jurisdiction over education policy; and

(2) six duly elected and currently serving senators, three appointed by the senate majority
leader and three appointed by the senate minority leader, one of whom must be the current
chair of the senate committee with jurisdiction over education policy.

(b) The appointments must be made by July 1, 2023, and expire January 31, 2024.

(c) If a vacancy occurs, the leader of the caucus in the house of representatives or senate
to which the vacating study group member belonged must fill the vacancy.

Subd. 3.

Duties.

(a) The legislative study group must prepare a report to the legislature
making recommendations on ways to improve school safety. In preparing the
recommendations, the group must consider the following:

(1) current statutory requirements relating to student discipline;

(2) best practices to prevent and address violence against staff and students;

(3) the rights of students and staff to be safe in classrooms and on school grounds; and

(4) any available data on incidents of violence in schools in Minnesota.

(b) The study group must identify and include in its report any statutory changes needed
to implement the study group recommendations.

Subd. 4.

Meetings and chair.

(a) The chair of the house of representatives committee
with jurisdiction over education policy must convene the first meeting of the study group
no later than August 1, 2023. The study group must meet periodically.

(b) Meetings of the study group are subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.

(c) The study group must elect a chair or chairs from among the members present at the
first meeting.

Subd. 5.

Administrative support.

The Legislative Coordinating Commission must
provide technical and administrative support upon request.

Subd. 6.

Consultation with stakeholders.

In making recommendations, the study group
must consult with interested and affected stakeholders.

Subd. 7.

Report.

The study group must report its recommendations to the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education
by January 31, 2024.

Subd. 8.

Expiration.

The study group expires January 31, 2024, or on the date that the
report required under subdivision 7 is submitted to the legislature, whichever is later.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.