Senate Republicans Vote to Squash Community Conversation on the Role of School Resource Officers
Contact Name: Marina Altschiller
Phone: (603) 271-3207
CONCORD – Yesterday, Senate Republicans removed SB 108 from the consent calendar to overturned the Senate Education Committee’s unanimous recommendation to Re-refer SB 108, relative to school resource officers. This bill sought to clarify the duties and responsibilities of school resource officers to enhance school safety while also ensuring that children get the appropriate support they need to lead healthy and productive lives.
After the vote, prime sponsor Senator Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton) issued the following statement:
“Today’s vote by Senate Republicans was a vote to silence an essential conversation about the role school resource officers play in the safety and well-being of NH children. By overturning the Education Committee’s unanimous recommendation to Re-refer this bill, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle chose instead to silence this important conversation.
This is a complex issue that was worthy of the opportunity to bring all stakeholders to the table to reach consensus. This isn't a law enforcement issue alone, it's an issue that impacts our children's issue. Brain science tells us that children’s brains are still developing well in their mid-20s. Coupling this science with data showing that children with disabilities and children of color are disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system shows the need to discuss the guardrails this bill puts into place to reduce potentially harmful exposure to the juvenile justice system.”
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