LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A priority for the Michigan House Republicans is to renew discussions about legislation regarding school safety and mental health plans introduced last year.

What’s in the legislation?

The legislation was crafted with recommendations from a bipartisan task force including educators, law enforcement officers, mental health professionals, and parents after the Oxford school shooting in 2021.

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Ethan Crumbley, who perpetrated the school shooting, killed four classmates and wounded several more, pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in December 2023. His mother, Jennifer Crumbley, was convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter, for her role in the shooting. His father, James Crumbley, faces trial in March on the same four counts of involuntary manslaughter for his role in the deaths of Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, Justin Schilling, and Madisyn Baldwin.

Representative Mike Harris (R-Waterford) called upon the House of Representatives on Tuesday to approve the plan.

“Keeping Michiganders safe is the paramount duty of our state government, especially when it comes to young people in our schools,” said Rep. Harris in a statement. “After the Oxford tragedy, Republicans and Democrats came together with experts to prepare a comprehensive, statewide strategy to protect our classrooms and promote student mental health. Our bipartisan plan will prepare school leaders to keep kids safe, ensure efficient communication between schools and law enforcement, and deliver confidential OK2SAY tips to the appropriate authorities. My colleagues and I introduced this plan again a year ago, and the House should seize the opportunity to keep our students safe and well.”

While House Bills 4088-4100 were sent to the House Education Committee, they have not yet received a hearing.

According to Rep. Harris the plan would address multiple areas of concern including:

Establish the School Safety and Mental Health Commission. This commission would identify best practices for schools to address behavioral, physical, and mental health needs. The commission would support at-risk students and work to reduce youth suicides by establishing a comprehensive statewide approach.

Dedicate school staff to student safety and mental health. Each intermediate school district will receive funding to hire a safety and security coordinator and a mental health coordinator. These new staff would serve as points of contact for school safety plans, grant opportunities, and mental health and security strategies. They would maintain communication between the state and school districts within the ISD, while also facilitating communication between other school districts in their region.

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Plan for safety. Schools would be required to review and update their safety plans every three years in consultation with their ISD-level safety coordinator, and statewide standards would guide the implementation of modern security measures for school buildings.

Expand and improve OK2SAY. Contact information for the OK2SAY confidential tip line would be placed on school ID cards for easy student access. Reporting and tips received by OK2SAY would be passed on to the ISD coordinators and local law enforcement; reporting and tips would also be provided quarterly to the School Safety and Mental Health Commission. Higher standards and new reporting definitions for OK2SAY would also be adopted.

Improve responses to school safety crises. The plan would require the Michigan State Police to provide uniform, comprehensive school safety and security training for school resource officers and all staff at Michigan schools. It would also create uniform definitions statewide for school safety terms, such as lockdowns, to foster better communication during crisis events. Other provisions would add more active-shooter drills and ensure at least one drill includes local law enforcement involvement and one is conducted between classes.

State Representative Donni Steele (R-Orion Township) also encouraged the chamber to review the proposed bills.

“In a time when political divides keep deepening, the House needs something for everyone to agree on; I’m confident this school safety legislation is that something,” said Rep. Steele in a statement. “This week, we’re remembering a tragedy at Michigan State University. Being from Lake Orion, I can’t help but draw the connection to our neighboring sister community of Oxford and the terrifying events which occurred there over two years ago. The best way to prevent these horrific events from repeating themselves is to bind together and pass school safety bills. Our kids and communities depend on it.”

New gun legislation takes effect in Michigan.

On Tuesday, a series of gun laws went into effect including expanded background checks, implementing safe storage laws, and Red Flag laws. The activation of the new laws coincided with the one year anniversary of the shooting that took place at Michigan State University February 13, 2023.