Van Hollen Submits Testimony Supporting Bill That Would Enhance School Safety

Senate Bill 154 Aims to Enhance Information-Sharing Relating to School Safety, Improve School Safety Plans, and Reduce Bullying

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen submitted testimony to the Senate Committee on Education in support of 2009 Senate Bill 154.  The bill, which was introduced by the Joint Legislative Council after it was developed by the Special Committee on School Safety, addresses information-sharing between schools and other entities, bullying, and school safety plans. 

According to Van Hollen, information-sharing is a key public safety tool.  Van Hollen's noted that the proposals in SB 154 will encourage schools to appropriately share information, remove existing barriers to sharing safety-related information, and require the criminal justice system share certain information with schools.     

I believe these proposals, and the bill as a whole, move the law in the right direction and will enhance school safety, thus contributing to the education and well-being of our kids and communities, Van Hollen wrote. 

Last September, Van Hollen testified before the Special Committee on School Safety and offered versions of the proposals which are contained in the bill that relate to information sharing.  Van Hollen's testimony to the Special Committee on School Safety proposing changes to state law relating to sharing information.

In 2007, Van Hollen participated in a nationwide task force of State Attorneys General formed to study and report on campus and school safety issues.  The Task Force's report.

The Department of Justice's Safe Schools Legal Resource Manual.

Van Hollen's testimony is available: