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5/29/2024
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House passes Noret bill providing greater protection for school officials threatened with serious bodily harm
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STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives today passed legislation (2024-H 7303) introduced by Rep. Thomas E. Noret (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick) that would amend an existing law that makes it a crime to threaten to take the life of, or to inflict bodily harm upon, a public official or a member of his or her immediate family because of the performance or nonperformance of some public duty.
“There has been an uptick in aggressive behavior towards those who work in the education field and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to work with others to address a real problem,” said Representative Noret, who served for 20 years as a Coventry police officer. “Teachers and administrators are used to all kinds of verbal abuse from students — but more so now this verbal abuse is coming from parents and guardians. But we have to draw the line at threatening the health and safety of educators, and we have to do it now while this behavior is becoming commonplace.”
School superintendents, principals and all other school employees would join other public officials that are already protected by the law, including elected and appointed officials, judges, prosecutors and police officers.
“We all agree that a safe and secure school setting is fundamental to the academic and emotional development of our students; but while focusing on that all-important issue, we shouldn’t forget the well-being of the educators and staff,” said Representative Noret. “After all, we put the safety of our children in their hands every day. We give them a tremendous responsibility. It is our duty to secure and ensure their safety.”
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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