Companion bills would protect teachers acting to protect students; House adopts companions

Representative from Cass presented companion bills (HB 29-13 and HB 32-28) developed with teacher input to authorize school employees to intervene in violent situations to protect themselves or students and to grant liability protections when interventions comply with district-approved training and policies. The sponsor said the bills are not mandates and that a broad definition of "teacher" in the bill (including substitutes, principals, nurses, counselors and others) aims to cover staff who regularly work in K-12 public schools.

Members including a teacher co-sponsor from Boone and several former educators rose in support, saying the bills respond to teacher concerns about liability when they step into violent situations. The floor record shows committee consideration and multiple supportive comments from districts where teachers and administrators asked for statutory clarification; the House adopted the companions and perfected and printed them.