Arizona bill would create anonymous hotline to report school threats
Mar 15, 2018, 5:34 PM
PHOENIX — A bill moving through the Arizona State Legislature would set up a hotline for students to anonymously report any dangerous or suspicious activities.
“The purpose is to prevent any unlawful, dangerous or even perhaps violent activity,” said Rep. Paul Boyer, R-Phoenix, who introduced the bill. “So if a student sees anything from bullying all the way to active shooter or anything in between, they can call this 1-800 number.”
HB 2489 states any information students provide would be confidential, unless it was required “to be disclosed by law in connection with a criminal investigation or proceeding.”
Boyer, who was also a high school teacher, said he got the idea for the bill from 14-year-old Riley Wilson. He said she approached him about setting up an anonymous hotline two years ago. He said right now is a good time to approve the bill given what has been going in schools.
“With harassment, with bullying and with now dealing with active shooters, it just seems like this is critical,” he said.
Details about how the hotline will work are still being determined.
Boyer said Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is “taking a very serious interest in this bill” and has offered to house the hotline.
“What I do envision is that the person answering the call will be a sworn law enforcement officer whether active or retired, because they would know the best protocol relative to whatever the issue is,” Boyer said.
The bill already passed the House. After being approved in the Senate Education Committee on Thursday, the bill now goes to the Senate floor for a vote.
