Maine has dealt with many educational issues through the years.

“An Act to Update the Provision of Law Concerning Student Codes of Conduct in Order to Reflect Best Practices Regarding Behavioral Threat Assessment and Response,” has been drafted toward improving school safety and student well-being.

The legislation was introduced into the 132nd Legislature to ensure that codes of conduct in schools are up to date with the latest data in behavioral threat assessments and management. It is crucial for school leadership to understand these fundamentals to better serve students.

Granted, Maine is one of the safest states in the nation and has not suffered school shootings, but we do have other dangerous behaviors that need to be addressed in order to properly manage the behavior. This is where the value of effective behavioral threat assessment and management protocols come into play. These protocols assist in creating a caring setting at school where everyone, students and teachers, can be safe. As we know in anything, early detection is paramount in addressing problems before they become bigger issues.

Maine’s Education Department offers free training in Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines, but L.D. 21 would turn this concept into law, which would assist in keeping things consistent and based on concrete research to ensure favorable results.

There are those who may consider behavioral threat assessment and management and Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines as invasive or not necessary. The threat assessments are meant to prevent issues that arise rather than punishing the student. The benefit is that if a student is distressed, it is identified and the correct resources can be implemented in order to reduce the chance of bullying, drug use and significant mental health issues, with the goal of preventing other tragedies.

It’s been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across this nation. Many, including students in Maine, are still experiencing the decline of mental health, which can increase difficult behaviors. L.D. 21 is designed to assist teachers and other providers to better serve their students.

L.D. 21 follows current nationwide school safety trends, which gives broader information of what works and what needs to be improved on. Other states have passed similar legislation, showing the need for more initiative-based approaches for student welfare. If this bill is passed, Maine can join other states in becoming a leader in behavioral intervention for other schools to follow.

In order to remain effective, behavioral threat assessment and management protocols strategies depend on how they are implemented and having constant training of school staff. Any law concerning L.D. 21 should take this into account and create a continuous education unit system to ensure current data is passed down to all involved.

I ask Mainers to call their representatives in support of this measure. L.D. 21 addresses many concerns that we as parents have for our children. Obtaining resources to assist in behavior management and resources for processing events for others is not a bad thing.

L.D. 21 offers enhanced safety for our students and their support systems. If we can embrace this legislation, we can give best practice methods to create safe, supportive environments to all Maine students.