School safety and mental health plan earns bipartisan support

State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz’s plan to enhance security and mental health efforts at Michigan schools advanced through the House today with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Schmaltz, R-Jackson, recently testified before the committee and emphasized the need for the plan, which was developed from a bipartisan task force established by the House of Representatives after the 2021 shooting at Oxford High School. The plan – outlined in House Bills 4222-4223, 4225-4226, 4229, 4258-4259, and 4315 – incorporates input from educators, parents, mental health professionals, and law enforcement to improve statewide coordination and support for school safety and student mental health.

“Every morning, families across Michigan send their kids off to school. They trust that when that bell rings, their children will be walking into a safe and supportive place — one where they can learn, grow, and thrive,” Schmaltz said. “Tragically, we’ve seen too many reminders that safety is not something we can take for granted. This plan brings together the expertise of those on the front lines of education and public safety to ensure our schools are places of security, learning, and emotional well-being.”

Schmaltz highlighted her House Bill 4222, which would require schools to review and update their safety plans at least once every three years. It also requires schools to form crisis teams made up of key staff like assistant principals, safety officers, and other appropriate personnel.

“It may sound simple, but it’s vital,” Schmaltz said. “Threats change, technology changes, and circumstances change — and we want to stay on top of them. Regular reviews will ensure our schools are constantly improving their security measures, so everyone has the tools and training they need to respond effectively to threats.”

In addition to Schmaltz’s measure to require regular safety reviews, the plan would:

• Expand and improve OK2SAY, the state’s confidential tip line for reporting school-related threats, misconduct, or mental health crises. Contact information for OK2SAY would be placed on school ID cards for easy student access. Reporting and tips received by OK2SAY would be passed on to local law enforcement; reporting and tips would also be provided quarterly to the School Safety and Mental Health Commission. Higher standards and new reporting definitions for OK2SAY would also be adopted.

• Improve responses to school safety crises. The plan would require the Michigan State Police to provide uniform, comprehensive school safety and security training for school resource officers and all staff at Michigan schools. It would also create uniform definitions statewide for school safety terms, such as lockdowns, to foster better communication during crisis events. Other pieces would add an additional active-shooter drill and ensure at least one drill includes local law enforcement involvement and one is conducted between classes.

The measures now advance to the Senate for further consideration.