Author: Bernie James

Safety Law News for February 6, 2019

• In New York, the “Saratoga Parents for Safer Schools” have announced its release of an eight point school security plan which addresses the safety needs of the Saratoga Springs school district.  The plan acknowledges the concerns of parents on…

Safety Law News for February 1, 2019

In Tennessee, officials in Cheatham County schools say vaping and e-cigarettes are a growing problem. 65 citations have been issued so far this school year, up from 20 citations last school year. Officials fear that many of the students are…

Safety Law News for January 29, 2019

In Florida, the United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, held that the Palm Beach County School Board did not violate the rights of its employees by requiring all applicants for substitute teacher positions to submit to and pass a…

Safety Law News for January 25, 2019

In New Mexico, the United States District Court upheld searches by school officials of an entire class after a student reported that someone stole $210. The court held that the pat down searches were “justified at its inception because Defendants…

Safety Law News for January 22, 2019

In South Carolina, legislation has been introduced that would add an additional 7% tax on all gun sales, to be used to hire school resource officers at every school in the state. House Bill 3109 would supply resource officers in…

Safety Law News for January 15, 2019

In Congress, a bill, called the Promoting Resource Officers Together for Exceptionally Critical Targets with Key Investments in Districts and Schools Act, or “Protect Kids Act,” has been introduced. The legislation sets aside $250 million in matching grants to hire…

Safety Law News for January 10, 2019

In New York, a Long Island school district is negotiating an amendment to its SRO program to limit the role of school-based police officers. The goal is to prevent immigrant students from being detained and deported on questionable evidence of…

Safety Law News for December 19, 2018

In Washington D.C., the Federal Commission on School Safety released a comprehensive resource guide for school safety.   In Washington State, the Washington Court of Appeals ruled that the search of a non-student’s backpack, due to the smell of marijuana…

Safety Law News for December 17, 2018

In Washington State, the Wenatchee School Board voted unanimously to return a police department-issued rifle to its school resource officer. The rifle was ordered removed earlier by the Superintendent.   In Florida, the public safety commission investigating the Parkland shooting…