Bill Introduced To Boost Safety In Rhode Island Schools

PROVIDENCE, RI — A bill was introduced to improve safety in Rhode Island schools.

State Sen. Andrew R. Dimitri, D-Johnston, introduced the legislation that would establish a school emergency response committee to develop statewide facility safety and emergency response standards, according to a media release.

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“Many of our school buildings and facilities are outdated, old and in need of renovation to provide adequate security for our students," Dimitri said in the release.

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"At Brown University we saw up close the heartbreaking results when an individual gains access to an unsecured school building with the intent to do harm,” Dimitri said. “A committee of experts reporting regularly to the General Assembly will be able to provide guidance on school security measures and recommendations for how to fund them, ensuring statewide standards that keep our children safe.”

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The bill would establish an eight-person school emergency response committee tasked with developing a five-year plan for statewide school security standards, including measures to secure facility access, protect classrooms and schedule armed police coverage, according to the release.

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"The committee would also report annually to the General Assembly on school facility safety measures that might need legislation to implement," the release said. "The bill would also provide in the state budget $500,000 annually to cover the cost of police protection in schools, and another $500,000 annually to cover the costs of equipment and training to ensure each city and town police department has a rapid response or SWAT team."

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