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House panel backs interim study on school safety after sponsor outlines holistic approach
Summary
Representative Brad Barker introduced an interim study request to assess school safety across Montana, focusing on '10 essential actions' and existing reporting systems; the committee voted to advance the study without a funding provision.
Representative Brad Barker (House District 55) opened House Joint Resolution 53, asking the interim committee to study school safety across Montana. Barker said the idea arose from conversations with the Montana Safe School Center and the Jeremy Bullock Memorial Trust and would examine a broad set of best practices described in testimony as the "10 essential actions." He said the resolution does not include funding; the intent is to let the interim study guide any future funding recommendations.
Barker asked for proponents; none were present in the room or online. Committee members asked whether the resolution included funding; Barker confirmed it did not and said the interim study could recommend funding if appropriate. He closed by acknowledging several proponents could not attend in person but offered to provide their comments to the committee.
During executive action, a do-pass motion carried by voice vote and the committee recorded proxies; HJ 53 will be transmitted to the House floor. Committee members noted the urgency of school-safety issues but did not add appropriations to the resolution.
The interim study, as described in the resolution, would review reporting systems and evaluate Montana’s adoption of evidence-based safety actions in comparison with practices in other states, and could propose funding options for effective measures.
