HB 2779 would require schools to notify parents if law enforcement takes a student into temporary custody and set training requirements for school safety staff
Summary
HB 2779 would require school employees to notify a juvenile's parent, guardian or custodian if law enforcement takes the student into temporary custody on school property, and would direct ADE to establish required training for school safety officers.
HB 2779 would require school employees to notify a juvenile's parent, guardian or custodian if a student is taken into temporary custody on school property by law enforcement and would direct the Arizona Department of Education to establish a training program for school safety officers and security guards, caucus members heard.
"HB 2779 requires immediate notification by a school employee of a juvenile's parents, guardian, or custodian if a student is taken into temporary custody on school property by a law enforcement officer," Celiana, the bill presenter to caucus, said when outlining the measure. The presenter added that the bill requires ADE to collaborate with AZ POST to establish the training program and that the employee must consult with the investigating law‑enforcement agency to ensure notification would not pose a risk to the juvenile or to the investigation.
Why it matters: The bill creates a statutory duty for schools to notify families about law‑enforcement custody actions on campus while balancing that duty against an investigating agency's concerns about jeopardizing safety or the inquiry.
Scope and process: As described in caucus, school staff must consult with the investigating law‑enforcement agency and may withhold notification if the agency determines it would pose a risk to the juvenile or to the investigation. ADE must develop a training program in collaboration with AZ POST; the caucus presenter said the training must be completed within a specified timeframe, although the transcript did not record the exact deadline.
Discussion and outcome: The bill presenter said the Senate adopted amendments that added the consultation requirement with law enforcement and the AZ POST collaboration. The presenter also said the sponsor will concur with the Senate amendments. Caucus members made no further comments and the meeting moved on; no formal vote or additional action was recorded in the caucus transcript.
