Horne blasts Democrats for voting against school safety bill

Legislation would require schools to report life-threatening incidents

PHOENIX – State schools superintendent Tom Horne says Democrats who voted against HB 4109, a bill requiring schools to report life-threatening on-campus incidents, are harming the ability of schools to do everything possible to protect the safety and lives of students, educators and staff. 

Horne stated, “It is reckless and irresponsible for these legislators to ignore the reality that school campuses are at risk and need every resource at their disposal to protect lives. School safety is not something to take lightly. It is astonishing to me that every Democrat on the Senate Education Committee voted against this legislation. The bill requires notice to parents and staff within 24 hours of a life-threatening incident on campus. That is a perfectly reasonable requirement that schools should be doing anyway.”

He added, “It is ironic that the bill is sponsored by Democrat Representative Lydia Hernandez. She deserves credit for this effort. I am pleased the bill passed out of committee even with the opposition from members of her own party.”