Safety Law News for June 28, 2017

  • In Ohio, the Ohio Court of Appeals upheld a trial court ruling that found a 12-year-old delinquent for violating a state law that provides that “No person, with knowledge of its character or content, shall recklessly… [d]irectly sell, deliver, furnish, disseminate, provide, exhibit, rent, or present to a juvenile, a group of juveniles, …any material or performance that is obscene or harmful to juveniles.”  The juvenile “sexted” a photograph depicting the bare breasts of a 12-year-old classmate to other students. [In Re L.Z.].
  • In Colorado, the Governor signed into law HB 17-1302, the Juvenile Sexting Crime Act.  Under the law, prosecution of juveniles who text sexual pictures takes a multi-tiered approach that defines varying levels of sexting from a civil infraction that carries a $50 fine to felony charges for more serious cases.
  • In Minnesota, St. Louis County school officials say the School Resource Officer Program has been a huge success.  The district had a grant to pay for the program. Once that funding ran out, they couldn’t support the program.  The St. Louis County Board has signed on to provide 100 percent of the funding.
  • In Georgia, Savannah officials report that referrals by school resource officers dropped from 189 in 2014 to 115 in 2016. School resource officers, school administrators and teachers are using positive behavior intervention training instead of zero-tolerance.

Safety Law News for June 22, 2017

  • In Florida, the Clay County Public Schools Superintendent sent out a letter alerting parents to television shows and social media that may encourage children to either hurt themselves or commit suicide.  The TV show “13 Reasons Why” and a lesser known social media post known as the “blue whale Challenge,” were mentioned.
  • In Virginia, Loudoun County School Board members have been working with school principals to rework the dress code policy that outlines what clothing is appropriate—and what’s banned—with the goal of creating a more consistent standard.  Hats and spaghetti-strap tank tops are out, yoga pants are in.

Safety Law News for June 19, 2017

  • The United States District Court in Connecticut ruled that two school resource officers were not immune from a civil lawsuit for damages for excessive force, assault and battery, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress for tackling and tasing a high school student. [Jackson on Behalf of Z.J. v. City of Middletown].
  • In South Carolina, school officials in Horry County are looking to hire private armed guards to provide school security instead of contracting with police for school resource officers.  The private company, U.S. Security Associates, is an insured, American-owned company that provides private security in the United States.
  • In Kansas, educators in Topeka are hosting 6th and 7th grade students for a one-week SRO Camp.  The camp is a partnership between the Topeka Public Schools and the Topeka Police Department during the summer to give students and officers a fun way to get to know one another.

Safety Law News for June 15, 2017

  • In South Carolina, a Bamberg County Councilman says critics of the SRO program will not silence him or the president of the local Parent Teacher Organization who say they were “appalled” the city was considering eliminating the SRO program, which they believe keep children safe.
  • In California, a new class, “Law and Social Justice,” is wrapping up its first year at Berkeley High School.  Students work closely with police, public defenders, law schools, death penalty reform advocates, and district attorneys to give students a front row seat to the justice system.  The SRO and the students say relationships are improving in the school and the community.
  • In Alaska, school officials in the Anchorage School District are responding to a spike in teen suicide rates by revising its Crisis Response Team.  The expanded network of professionals will be based on the “PREPaRE” model created by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Safety Law News for June 9, 2017

  • In Louisiana, anti-bullying legislation (SB 158) has passed through the Senate and now is on its way to the State House of Representatives.  The legislation seeks to impose harsher consequences for students who bully – including arrests for a first offense.
  • In Virginia, Prince William County officials announced that it will deploy body-worn cameras this fall on all school resource officers.

Safety Law News for June 1, 2017

  • In Minnesota, the U.S. District Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by a St. Paul teacher who sued the school district for injuries sustained in an assault by a student.  The court ruled that the teacher failed to prove his case merited special consideration beyond the sole remedy provided by the state’s workers’ compensation system.  [John Ekblad v. Independent School District No. 625].
  • In California, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to renew the SRO program.  However, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will have to report back with data to prove the “effectiveness” of the program if it is to continue.
  • In Montana, officials in Ravalli County are in agreement on funding a full-time deputy to serve in the schools.  The County Superintendent says; “an SRO acts as a deterrent.  [T]hey also act as a kind of teacher.”
  • In Nevada, Senate Bill 225 will expand anti-bullying policy to require all schools, including private schools, to train employees on issues of gender identity, promptly report bullying incidents, and establish a school safety team focused on ensuring a safe and respectful learning environment.  It will be voluntary for private schools to adopt the state policy.