Committee approves bills increasing school threat response and restitution
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Summary
Lawmakers advanced measures expanding where credible-threat rules apply, requiring immediate notification of principals, temporary removal for evaluation and capped restitution (up to $10,000) for response costs; sponsors said the bills aim to reduce classroom disruption and recoup response costs.
The Judiciary Committee advanced multiple bills aimed at bolstering schools’ ability to respond to credible threats and to recover response costs.
Representative Lomax, carrying a bill originally prefiled by Matt (now Senator) Woods, described amendments that extend protections to hospitals, nursing homes and other public places and require school administrators to notify law enforcement immediately when a credible threat is made. Lomax said the measure can force temporary removal of students deemed credible threats for evaluation and allow restitution capped at $10,000 to cover law‑enforcement and response costs.
Representative Baker presented related legislation focused on terrorist‑threat offenses, especially those affecting schools. The committee adopted friendly amendments removing the word "sustained" from the fear standard and deleting the phrase "gravity of" from a line, adjustments members said clarified prosecutorial standards. Sponsor Baker said the changes preserve prosecutorial discretion while giving prosecutors a basis to pursue charges where school operations have been disrupted.
Members discussed proof standards and the balance between prosecutorial tools and protecting students’ rights. The committee approved favorable reports on the bills as amended by voice vote.
Next steps: Bills will move forward with amendments recorded in committee; sponsors said they intend to continue refining language with legal staff.