Advancing Rep. Linting bill part of landmark school safety, mental health plan
A bill from state Rep. Rylee Linting that is part of a wide-ranging bipartisan plan to protect schools and support students’ mental health was advanced overwhelmingly today by the Michigan House.
“Today was a pivotal step forward towards keeping Downriver kids safe at school while giving parents peace of mind,” said Linting, of Grosse Ile Township. “A lot of legislative work and collaboration has gone into these reforms since the tragedy at Oxford High School. Through expanded mental health resources, building designs that prioritize safety, updated emergency drill procedures, improved ways to report dangerous activity, and more, these plans put families and our kids first.”
The comprehensive measures are designed to enhance statewide coordination and standards for school security and student mental health services. It resulted from a bipartisan task force formed by House Republicans in the wake of the 2021 Oxford High School shooting. The task force prepared the policy proposals based on input from parents, educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, and other experts.
“These plans looked at every side of this equation to support students and keep schools safe,” Linting said. “They gave parents a voice. They gathered feedback and recommendations from teachers and mental health professionals who know the buildings they work in, and they factored in what would best help law enforcement officers respond effectively in case of an emergency.”
Linting’s plan, House Bill 4226, will add more active-shooter drills for schools. The legislation ensures at least one drill includes local law enforcement involvement and one is conducted between classes to increase preparedness.
Other bills that advanced through the House will:
- Require regular updating of school districts’ emergency response plans.
- Develop and require standard safety training for school resource officers, teachers, and other school personnel.
- Ensure that confidential tips submitted to the OK2SAY system are promptly shared with local law enforcement and school officials within 24 hours of submission.
- Place OK2SAY contact info on school ID cards so students can easily report concerns.
- Submit a quarterly report of OK2SAY tips to the state’s School Safety and Mental Health Commission to inform the commission’s ongoing work to support and advise local school efforts.
House Bills 4222-23, 4225-26, 4229, 4258-59 and 4315, which contain the school safety plans, now move to the Senate for consideration.
PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Rylee Linting speaks on a legislative school safety package before the Michigan House on Wednesday, May 14 at the state Capitol in Lansing. A bill sponsored by Linting within the plans, House Bill 4226, will add more active-shooter drills for schools to increase preparedness and safety procedures for students and staff.
