School safety bill advances to the Nebraska Legislature
Nebraska’s School Safety Task Force recommendations introduced through LB 516
Legislative Bill 516, a package of measures to improve school safety, is set to appear before the Nebraska Unicameral.
The bill, introduced by State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, passed out of the legislative committee in a 7-0 vote. Committee member State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha was not present for the vote.
The first measure included in the bill is hiring regional specialists to provide training and technical support and to serve as a central point of contact for school districts of K-12 schools. The second is continuing to fund the Safe2HelpNE through general funds. The third measure is creating a $15 million grant program for security related infrastructure and safety projects such as “surveillance equipment, door-locking systems, and double-entry doors for school buildings.” The last measure in the bill is a $5 million grant program for the hiring of mental health practitioners and school psychologists to provide mental health and behavior services and support for students.
The measures included in LB 516 were provided as recommendations from Nebraska’s School Safety Task Force, which was formed in October 2022. The task force is composed of public and private school educations, law enforcement, city leaders and parents. It is co-chaired by Nebraska Commissioner of Education Matthew Blomstedt and State Senator Lynne Walz. The task force facilitators are Joe Wright, Director of Security at Lincoln Public Schools and Dr. Denise Bulling, Senior Research Director at the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center.
An amendment introduced by Walz clarifies that regional specialists would be available for accepted public and nonpublic accredited K-12 schools.
LB 516 may face obstacles for passage due to ongoing filibusters and party tensions taking place in the Nebraska legislature, but currently it appears that the bill will have bipartisan support.
Safe2HelpNE, which will receive continued funding if LB 516 is passed, is an anonymous reporting hotline. It was designed so that students, staff and parents could report concerting behavior that could impact school or student safety regarding K-12 schools. These concerns include school threats, bullying, suicide concerns, crime, domestic violence, abuse and concerns for individual’s physical and mental health. Safe2HelpNE was created in 2021 by the Nebraska legislature through the passage of LB 322.
By: Aubrey Benton