Establishes a task force to study the frequency and seriousness of violence that occurs on school grounds and the causes of such violence; and make recommendations on school safety in the state of New York.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A326
SPONSOR: Rajkumar TITLE OF BILL:
An act to establish a task force to study and make recommendations on
school safety in the state of New York
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To create a New York State Task Force on School. Safety, which would
consist of professionals in the fields of education, school adminis-
tration, mental health, and law enforcement. Five members would be
appointed by the Governor, five by the Senate Majority Leader, and five
by the Speaker of the Assembly. The Task Force would be charged with
studying the frequency and seriousness of violence that occurs on school
grounds, study the cause of such violence, including the influences of
conditions such as school size and environment, home environment, cyber
abuse, psychological factors and any other influence the task force
deems relevant. The task force will make recommendations on measures to
increase school safety, and issue a report to the Governor and the
Legislature within one year of the effective date of this law.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1, subsection a - Describes the establishment of a task force to
study school safety at schools in the state of New York. Subsection B
outlines the mandate of the topics the task force would study, including
measures other states have undertaken in order to reduce violence on
school grounds. Subsection c calls for a report to the Governor and
Legislature within one year.
Section 2 - Defines the qualifications of Task Force members.
Subsection d states that members will receive no compensation for their
services, but will be allowed actual necessary expenses in the perform-
ance of their services. Subsection e stipulates that the task force will
be provided with certain facilities for their meetings in-order to carry
out their powers and duties.
Section 3 - Effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
JUSTIFICATION:
In light of the recent mass shootings, including at Marjory Stoneman
Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and the increasing number of
other incidents of gun violence on school grounds that have taken place
in recent history, New York must immediately take steps to ensure that
students in our state are protected. As there is much disagreement as to
how to address this issue, and no single solution that is going to solve
this problem, it is necessary that professionals who work in an educa-
tional environment, as well as mental health professionals and law
enforcement develop practical solutions in order to address this public
safety issue that threatens the lives of children. Their input into
policies and laws created by the NYS Legislature is essential to solve
this epidemic that is plaguing our country.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2017-18 A10110 referred to education
2019-20 A1815 referred to education
2021-22 A6244 referred to education
2023-24 A2803 referred to education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
326
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY(Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. RAJKUMAR, LUPARDO -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Education
AN ACT to establish a task force to study and make recommendations on
school safety in the state of New York
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. a. A task force is hereby established to study school safe-
2 ty at schools in the state of New York. For purposes of this act,
3 "violence" shall mean any occurrence that may compel a school official
4 to contact law enforcement for assistance.
5 b. The task force shall:
6 (i) study the frequency and seriousness of violence that occurs on
7 school grounds;
8 (ii) study the causes of such violence, including the influence of:
9 (1) school size and environment;
10 (2) home environment and abuse;
11 (3) community environment;
12 (4) cyber abuse;
13 (5) psychological factors;
14 (6) media coverage of violent acts; and
15 (7) any other influences the task force deems relevant;
16 (iii) study current measures implemented by schools in the state of
17 New York to increase school safety;
18 (iv) study measures other states and countries have implemented to
19 increase school safety; and
20 (v) make recommendations on measures the state of New York may take in
21 order to increase school safety.
22 c. No later than one year after the effective date of this act, the
23 task force shall report its findings to the governor and the legisla-
24 ture, as described under subdivision b of this section.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01437-01-5
A. 326 2
1 § 2. a. The task force shall be comprised of:
2 (i) five members appointed by the governor;
3 (ii) five members appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
4 and
5 (iii) five members appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
6 b. Of the five members appointed by the governor, temporary president
7 of the senate, and speaker of the assembly, each shall appoint:
8 (i) one member with experience in teaching;
9 (ii) one member with experience as a mental health professional;
10 (iii) one member with experience in law enforcement;
11 (iv) one member with experience as a school administrator; and
12 (v) one member with experience as a school safety agent.
13 c. One of the appointments by the governor shall serve as chairperson
14 of the task force.
15 d. The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for
16 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
17 incurred in the performance of their services.
18 e. All departments, divisions, bureaus, commissions, districts or
19 agencies of the state or any political subdivisions thereof shall, at
20 the request of the chairperson, provide the task force with such facili-
21 ties, assistance and data as will enable the task force to carry out its
22 powers and duties.
23 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
