School Security has many associated State and federal laws, rules and guidelines related to individual schools and school administrative units. This information is beneficial to school superintendents, administrators and school boards.
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An Order Updating the State of Maine Emergency Response and Disaster Assistance Teams. Governor Paul R. LePage issued this executive order, effective in 2011.
State Laws
- 20-A M.R.S � 263 Response to school bomb threats
- 20-A M.R.S � 1001(9-A) Students expelled or suspended
- 20-A M.R.S � 1001(16) Emergency management plan
- 20-A M.R.S � 1001(17) Bomb threat response policies
- 20-A M.R.S � 1001(18) Bomb threat information in student handbooks
- 20-A M.R.S � 6552 Firearms
- 20-A M.R.S � 13024 Clearance for person paid to work in school
- Title 1 � 402.3.L Public records describing security plans, security procedures, or risk assessments
State Rules
- 05-071 CMR Chapter 125 � 10.02 Emergency procedures
- 05-071 CMR Chapter 125 � 10.03 Safety procedures
- 05-071 CMR Chapter 125 � 10.06 School bomb threat policy and reporting requirements
- 05-071 CMR Chapter 125 � 14.03 Enforcement measures
Federal Laws & Guidelines
Student privacy during an emergency. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) generally requires schools to ask for written consent before disclosing a student’s personally identifiable information to individuals other than his or her parents, it also allows schools to take key steps to maintain school safety. According to U.S. Department of Education, “In an emergency, FERPA permits school officials to disclose without consent education records, including personally identifiable information from those records, to protect the health or safety of students or other individuals. At such times, records and information may be released to appropriate parties such as law enforcement officials, public health officials, and trained medical personnel. See 34 CFR § 99.31(a)(10) and § 99.36. This exception is limited to the period of the emergency and generally does not allow for a blanket release of personally identifiable information from a student's education records.”
- A Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act for Elementary and Secondary Schools. This guide is provided by U.S. Department of Education to offer information to schools about balancing student privacy and School Safety.
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, “There are no federal laws requiring all school districts to have emergency management plans, most states and school reported having requirements for such planning, and federal and state governments and school districts provide financial and other resources.”
- Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities (PDF). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. DHHS) offers resources on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
- Guide For Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans. This guide is recommended for use with planning teams responsible for developing and revising school Emergency Operations Plans. This document is collaboration between six federal agencies: U.S. Departments of Education, Justice, DHHS, and Homeland Security; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- School Emergency Management Report (PDF). The U.S. GAO prepared this document to report to congressional requestors.