Legislation addressing children’s safety and behavioral concerns in Tennessee schools advanced out of the House Education Administration Subcommittee this week.
The Early Behavioral Intervention and Reporting Act, sponsored by State Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, would create a computer-based system for educators and school staff to report concerns about a student’s safety, health or behavior to the school’s threat assessment team.
“Teachers and school staff are interacting with students daily and often the first to notice behavioral changes that may signal underlying issues,” Reedy said. “As mandated reporters of child safety, this bill gives teachers and schools the ability to address concerns before they escalate and protect the well-being of all students.”
The school’s threat assessment team would immediately be notified when a report is filed to determine if further action is needed. The legislation instructs local school districts to train teachers and support staff on early warning signs, which include claims of harassment, bullying, threats of violence, substance abuse, self-harm or suicidal ideation.
The General Assembly in 2023 approved a new law requiring a threat assessment team in every school district to ensure students are connected to support services and behavioral health professionals when appropriate.
Timely reporting and reviews of potential behavioral threats is essential to successfully intervening with struggling individuals, according to a report from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the United States Department of Justice.
School systems would be required to submit an annual report to the Tennessee Department of Education summarizing the data collected during the school year.
