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REFERENCE TITLE: schools; anonymous reporting; dangerous activity |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-third Legislature Second Regular Session 2018
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HB 2489 |
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Introduced by Representative Boyer: Senator Brophy McGee
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AN ACT
amending Title 15, chapter 2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-249.12; appropriating monies; relating to the department of education.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 15, chapter 2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-249.12, to read:
15-249.12. Safe‑to‑tell program; requirements; confidentiality; hotline; training; fund; program termination
A. The department shall establish the safe-to-tell program in the department to enable any person to anonymously report any dangerous, violent or unlawful activity that is being conducted or is threatened to be conducted on school property, at a public school‑sponsored activity or on a school bus of a public school. The department shall manage the program in cooperation with a counterterrorism information center that is designed for and used by local, state and federal law enforcement personnel.
B. Information relating to a dangerous, violent or unlawful activity or any threat of a dangerous, violent or unlawful activity that is reported pursuant to this section is confidential and, except as otherwise required to be disclosed by law in connection with a criminal investigation or proceeding, may not be disclosed to any person.
C. The program established pursuant to this section must include methods and procedures to ensure that:
1. Information reported pursuant to this section is promptly forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.
2. The identity of a person who reports information pursuant to this section is not disclosed to:
(a) A department employee.
(b) Any person who contracts with, serves as a volunteer with or otherwise assists a person or organization with whom the department contracts.
(c) Any other person except as required to be disclosed by law in connection with a criminal investigation or proceeding.
D. The department may enter into agreements with a qualified third party to operate a hotline or call center to receive initial reports pursuant to this section and to forward the information to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.
E. The department shall offer training regarding the safe‑to‑tell program to law enforcement personnel and to employees of school districts and charter schools.
F. The department shall:
1. Post information about the safe-to-tell program on the department's website.
2. Provide to each public school in this state materials about the safe‑to‑tell program that include the telephone number to call to make an anonymous report.
G. The safe‑to‑tell fund is established consisting of monies received pursuant to this subsection. The department shall administer the fund. Monies in the fund may be distributed to implement and operate the safe‑to‑tell program established pursuant to this section. Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated. The department may accept and deposit federal monies and private grants, gifts, contributions and devises in the fund to assist in carrying out the purposes of this section.
H. The program established pursuant to this section ends on July 1, 2028 pursuant to section 41‑3102.
Sec. 2. Appropriation; department of education; safe‑to‑tell program
The sum of $400,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2018-2019 to the department of education for the purpose of funding the safe-to-tell program established pursuant to section 15‑249.12, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.