Panel approves school-safety package bill; debate centers on charging juveniles as adults for terroristic acts

Senator Dolezal told the Judiciary Committee that Senate Bill 61 is part of a three-bill school-safety package and described four principal components: creating new school-related terroristic-offense statutes, expanding superior-court jurisdiction for certain serious underlying offenses, requiring notification to public schools when an enrolled or prospective student is placed under electronic monitoring or intensive supervision, and mandating annual site threat assessments in partnership with local law enforcement and GEMA.

"Senate Bill 61 really does 3 main things," Senator Dolezal summarized. He said the bill draws a line between terroristic threats and terroristic acts, and — after committee changes — would permit minors to be charged as adults in superior court for terroristic acts only, not for threats. The draft also adds attempt and conspiracy to the universe of offenses that may be prosecuted in…