Author: Bernie James

Safety Law News for December 20, 2016

In Michigan, the Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling allowing Ann Arbor Public Schools to enact a district-wide gun ban.  The “weapons-free school zone” policy is in conflict with state open carry gun laws. [Michigan Gun…

School Safety News for December 16, 2016

In Michigan, the legislature placed on the desk of the Governor legislation that would require school officials to consider certain factors before expelling or suspending a student under softer “zero-tolerance” laws and to limit the use of restraint and seclusion…

Safety Law News for December 12, 2016

In Pennsylvania, the federal district court has ruled that school officials can be liable for violating student rights under Title IX when student-on-student harassment is ignored. The court ruled that educators have a duty to intervene when they possess “actual…

Safety Law News for December 5, 2016

• In Kentucky, the Children’s Law Center of Kentucky released a report regarding school based restraint and seclusion. It concludes that restraint and seclusion on students in Kentucky schools is often unnecessary and that the use of such techniques should…

Safety Law News for November 30, 2016

In New Jersey, Governor Christie signed into law S2983. The legislation establishes “Class Three” special police officers designated to provide security at both public and private schools. In Washington D.C., U.S. Education Secretary John B. King Jr. sent a letter…

Safety Law News for November 21, 2016

In Georgia, more Gwinnett County public school students are being suspended from school than they were at this point a year ago. In Washington State, a coalition of the community petitioned Spokane Public Schools to revise the district’s use-of-force policy…

Safety Law News for November 9, 2016

In Arkansas, officials in the Little Rock School District have made the decision to pull all officers from its elementary schools.  In its place is a new mobile security system that allows officers to drive to multiple schools to do…

Safety Law News for November 1, 2016

In Georgia, the Georgia Supreme Court issued a ruling that said a law that prohibits guns at school property trumps one passed at the same time that allowed firearms inside school safety zones. In Rhode Island, school officials have signed…

Safety Law News for October 25, 2016

In Colorado, Colorado Springs school officials are trying new tactics to prevent students from using marijuana. In Idaho, educators in Jefferson County are implementing a new emergency crisis policy based on the national “I Love U Guys” response protocol. A…

Safety Law News for October 20, 2016

In Delaware, the Senate Public Safety Committee on School Safety released a report that cites an explosion of gang violence and cyberbullying and recommends a ban on cell phones and an increase in school resource officers in all school districts.…