The Connecticut General Assembly passed House Bill 7066 on Feb. 25, which includes provisions addressing changing immigration policies and steps that schools should be taking.
“We have had calls from folks, asking us how do they deal with this new way of operating,” said Connecticut Sen. Gary Winfield at the public testimony for the bill. “And while the laws themselves might not have changed, the way we operate as a country has.”
On Jan. 28, Governer Ned Lamont and the Connecticut State Department of Education put forward directions for schools to take regarding the emerging issue surrounding immigration, according to the Connecticut government website.
“Schools are no longer necessarily the safe spaces they were,” said Winfield.
The bill requires that superintendents of schools, regional educational service center, governing authority for a state charter school, and endowed or incorporated academies approved by the State Board of Education must appoint at least one individual responsible for interacting with federal immigration authority at schools.
These administrators will be responsible for reviewing legitimacy of any federal immigration officers and permitting any other school personnel to interact with these federal officers.
This bill also requires that administrator to help the boards of education update their school security and safety plans. The updates should adhere to “The Guidance to K-12 Public Schools Pertaining to Immigration Activities,” developed by the Department of Education on Jan. 28. These revisions would need to be applied to the 2024-2025 Academic Safety and Security Plans as well. Parents and guardians serving on these committees would not have access to this information. These plans will be submitted to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Additionally, this bill would ensure that members of the board cannot discipline an employee or administrator for following or implementing these protocols and safety plans.
The House voted on this bill on Feb. 24, and the Senate voted on Feb. 25.
“After the bill is enacted, the school authorities would have to be notified within seven days, and it would require an update to the 24-25 School Safety plan and package,” said Winfield.
As stated on the bill, the bill shall take effect on April 1.