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Bill would require district committees on student safety and behavioral health; unions and advocates back non‑punitive approach
Summary
Representative Carter said House Bill 5165 would require each school district to form a student safety and behavioral health committee to develop districtwide policies and coordinate early intervention for students in crisis.
Representative Carter, sponsor of House Bill 5165, described the proposal as a measure that "directs each different school committee to create a committee, a student safety and behavioral health committee, to have clear policies for kids that need, mental health help." Carter said her district uses a 24/7 counselor and that early intervention can be lifesaving.
Speakers in support included Mary Barton, executive director of the National Education Association of Rhode Island, and Marybeth Calabrio, president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals. Barton said teachers report higher rates of disruptive behavior and absenteeism and that classroom teachers lose a median of "5 hours of instruction time each month due to disruptive student behavior." Calabrio said data from Rhode Island Kids Count show gaps in mental-health support and argued that district committees could conduct local needs assessments, design targeted programs and advocate for resources.
Stephen Brown of the ACLU of Rhode Island signed on to support the bill but urged amendments to clarify that the committees must operate in a non‑punitive manner and that access to individual student records follow existing privacy protections; Brown cautioned against language that would inadvertently broaden data access. Representative Phillips and others raised questions about whether the committees would generate new administrative costs; Barton and Calabrio told the committee the concept is typically placed within existing school improvement structures and would not necessarily require additional paid positions.
Several members suggested placing the new committees alongside or within existing district wellness or school improvement teams to avoid duplication. Carter said the group would focus on districtwide policies rather than individual student cases. The committee did not vote on the bill during the hearing; the measure was later listed among bills held for further study.
