Senate passes Cano’s bill requiring school resource officer data report

            STATE HOUSE – The Senate today passed legislation (2022-S2578) sponsored by Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) which would mandate the annual collection and publication of data surrounding school resource officers in Rhode Island’s public schools.

            “School safety is understandably on everyone’s minds lately and we must do everything in our power to ensure our children and staff are safe and secure during the school day.  Some people believe school resource officers are integral to safe schools while others believe their presence has a detrimental effect on students.  In order to keep our kids safe while providing them the best educational opportunities possible, we need the data to see what is working, what can be improved and what can truly best protect our students while at school,” said Senator Cano.

            The legislation would require the RI Department of Education, in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General, to annually collect, report, and publish data on the number of school resource officers; the use of force against students; arrests of students and reasons for arrest; student referrals to law enforcement and reasons for referral; student referrals to court or court service units; and other disciplinary actions by school resource officers involving students.

            All data would be published in a manner that protects the identities of students and should be collected and designated by student age, grade, race, ethnicity, gender, language status, and disability.

            The bill now heads to the House for consideration where Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced the legislation (2022-H 6649).