DENVER – Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed three school safety bills May 3, including one that helps strengthen anonymity for callers of the Safe2Tell hotline program.
Prompted by the shootings at Virginia Tech April 16, the governor signed SB 197, which provides greater confidentiality for callers and their records from calling the Safe2Tell school-safety hotline. He also signed SB 227, which deals with immunity for teachers and school staff that act in good faith to prevent dangerous situations. Finally, HB 1059 was signed off for the use of capital construction funds for school construction projects to help prevent intruders from harming students at school.
The Safe2Tell program was established three years ago in the aftermath of the Columbine High School shootings as a way for students to anonymously provide tips for any potentially dangerous or violent events before they happen. According to press release from the Governor’s office, the hotline has received more than 1,500 calls in three years and produced more than 400 positive outcomes where something tangible was prevented, including 19 planned school attacks, 41 suicides and 54 weapons seized.
SB 197 provides greater anonymity for those who call the hotline, and better protects the confidentiality of hotline records.
According to Ritter, SB 227 will help teachers feel comfortable stepping in to prevent violence from occurring by preventing discipline, lawsuits or prosecution against them.
