Contact:
Mara Powell
502-895-8167 *122
mpowell@kyyouth.org

Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates

Accounting for the complexity and urgency of the issue of school safety, Senate Bill 1 takes a multi-faceted approach to ensure every Kentucky student is safe and supported in their school building. With the House Education Committee’s passage of Senate Bill 1 today, Kentucky public schools are on a path to achieving a standard of physical and psychological safety for all students, teachers, and school employees.

With the leadership of Senator Max Wise and Representative John Carney, SB 1 seeks to comprehensively address improving the safety of students through several key commitments. As an example, this legislation addresses the appropriate role and training of law enforcement officers in schools and needed school building safety improvements. It also underscores the imperative roles that school connectedness and trauma-responsive school climates play within the equation of school safety. We’re especially pleased with emphasis on ensuring access to quality behavioral and other health professionals and preventive services to address issues like depression and anxiety before students’ challenges get more serious.

We applaud Senator Wise and Representative Carney for their leadership on this legislation, members of the School Safety Working Group for their thoughtful approach to the issue of school safety, and the House Education Committee for supporting SB 1.

Stay up-to-date on Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities and other bills that are good for kids on our Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker.

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About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates believes all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.