Whereas, the number and frequency of school bomb threats throughout the State during recent months has increased significantly; and

Whereas, bomb threats occurred at schools in 14 of the State's 16 counties during the 1999-2000 school year; and

Whereas, school bomb threats represent a significant danger to the health and safety of the students and staffs of schools throughout the State; and

Whereas, significant public resources are expended in responding to school bomb threats, particularly by schools and by municipalities; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §263 is enacted to read:

§263.__Response to school bomb threats

1.__Prototype guidelines, policies and protocols.__The commissioner, in consultation with state and local emergency services officials, shall develop prototypical guidelines, policies and protocols for school administrative units to present to their communities when those communities are considering implementing local policies that concern prevention of and response to school bomb threats.__The prototypical guidelines, policies and protocols developed by the commissioner must be made available to all schools in the State no later than December 31, 2001.

2.__Reporting of school bomb threats.__Beginning with the 2001-2002 school year, all schools in the State must report each bomb threat incident to the commissioner.__The initial report must be made to the office of the superintendent within the school administrative unit. The office of the superintendent receiving a report of a bomb threat at a school must report that threat to the commissioner within 48 hours of the occurrence of the bomb threat.__The commissioner shall report annually on the