— In Indiana, the Court of Appeals of Indiana reversed a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit brought by parents of a elementary school child who was mistakenly told to walk home from school rather than ride the school bus pursuant to the school policy. A teacher removed the student from the bus boarding line and informed him that he was designated as a walker and that he should not ride the bus home. The court ruled that summary judgment is improper because the injuries to the student arose from the school’s failure to properly enforce a school policy. The court stated that the school had a, “duty to exercise reasonable care and supervision for the safety of the children under its control.” The school could not, “claim immunity when sued regarding its own compliance, or failure to comply, with laws and regulations or a school policy.” Hopkins v. Indianapolis Public Schools
— In New York, New York City parents are sounding the alarm over school safety issues. Students are being assaulted in school and school safety agents have seized 13 firearms. Campus administrators and parents are requesting more school resource officers.
— In California, Senate Bill 906 has been introduced to promote safer campuses. Its provisions would require parents to disclose if guns are kept at their homes and would require searches of a student’s personal property on campus if there is a credible threat.
— In Florida, House Bill 1421 has been introduced in an effort to update the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. Under its provisions, schools will be required, among other duties, to adopt a plan that guides family reunification when K-12 public schools are closed or unexpectedly evacuated due to school shootings.