1. A. Due to the growing concern regarding safety and the ever constant threat of violence in the public schools, it is the intent of the Legislature that public schools and families work together to combat this rising problem. Therefore, beginning October 1, 1996, and every year thereafter, each public school site shall establish a Safe School Committee to be composed of at least six (6) members. The Safe School Committee shall be composed of an equal number of teachers, parents of the children affected and students. B. The Safe School Committee shall study and make recommendations to the principal regarding: 1. Unsafe conditions, possible strategies for students to avoid harm at school, student victimization, crime prevention, school violence, and other issues which prohibit the maintenance of a safe school; 2. Student harassment, intimidation, and bullying at school; 3. Professional development needs of faculty and staff to implement methods to decrease student harassment, intimidation, and bullying; and 4. Methods to encourage the involvement of the community and students, the development of individual relationships between students and school staff, and use of problem-solving teams that include counselors and/or school psychologists. In its considerations, the Safe School Committee shall review traditional and accepted harassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention programs utilized by other states, state agencies, or school districts. C. The State Department of Education shall compile and distribute to each public school site a list of research-based programs appropriate for the prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying of students at school. If a school district implements a commercial bullying prevention program, it shall use a program listed by the State Department of Education. D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to technology center schools.

Laws 1996, SB 1071, c. 252, § 1, emerg. eff. July 1, 1996; Amended by Laws 2001, HB 1214, c. 33, § 120, emerg. eff. July 1, 2001 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 2002, SB 993, c. 149, § 4, eff. November 1, 2002 (superseded document available); Renumbered from 70 O.S. § 24-100 by Laws 2002, SB 993, c. 149, § 5, eff. November 1, 2002.