Student Safety: OK-2-SAY

I wanted to take the opportunity to thank the Michigan Senate for unanimously approving Senate Bill 374 creating the "Michigan Student Safety Act." This act would implement the OK-2-SAY system which allows students or other concerned citizens to report tips on potential school violence via a 24-hour hotline, text message, email or website. The bill requires the Michigan State Police to establish, operate and staff the program. The bill will also require an annual report of information reported to the hotline and prohibits the disclosure of confidential information except in certain circumstances involving criminal charges, false or misleading reports.

Senate Bill 374 is now under consideration by the House Committee on Appropriations. We expect that committee to hold hearings on the bill in the fall.