HB 24-1320 Summary

• Creates the Educator Safety Task Force within the Office of School Safety to study public school staff safety issues, with members appointed by July 31, 2024 and first meeting by September 1, 2024.

• Task force consists of 14 voting members including teachers from rural/urban/suburban districts, education support professionals, school administrators, charter school representatives, disability advocates, and restorative justice professionals; plus 3 nonvoting members from education and behavioral health agencies.

• Task force must study educator safety, effects of staff shortages and class sizes on disruptive behavior, incidents of aggressive student behavior toward staff, and resource inequality impacts, while ensuring solutions do not increase student discipline or criminal referrals.

• Task force shall submit final report with findings and recommendations by June 30, 2025 to legislative education committees, governor, state board, and department of education.

• Appropriates $146,250 to the Department of Public Safety for administrative services, and the task force automatically repeals December 31, 2025.