A bill already given unanimous approval in the state Senate gives teachers and other school personnel more authority to use in controlling unruly students with less fear of liability, reports Rick Locker.
The bill, scheduled for a House committee hearing Tuesday, requires local school boards to adopt policies authorizing teachers and others to temporarily relocate a student with “reasonable or justifiable force,” if required, or for the students to remain in place until law enforcement or school resource officers arrive.
Senate Bill 3116, sponsored by Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, also requires principals to fully support teachers in taking action when it is done according to the policy. Gresham said she filed the bill after hearing from teachers concerned about liability or a lawsuit if they try to remove a student during an altercation.
“Teachers should not have to fear they will be found personally liable for standing in a doorway to stop a physical altercation between two students. They should have full authority to remove a student to another location even if it involves the use of force,” Gresham said. “This bill would apply to acts committed on school property, as well as those at official school functions, including sporting events and approved field trips. In addition to teachers, it would apply to administrators, school support staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, school resource officers, and others working in the school who interact with students.”