Bill to publish data on school resource officers passes Rhode Island House

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A bill to require the Rhode Island attorney general to publish data on school resource officers won approval in the Rhode Island House Tuesday.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Joe McNamara (D-Warwick) would require the Department of Education and the attorney general to publish data on school resource officers pertaining to use of force incidents, arrests and referrals from law enforcement.

“It’s imperative that we receive reports and consistent data to make informed policy decisions as it relates to school resource officers and school discipline — particularly the disparities that exist in school arrests in relation to race and disabilities,” said McNamara.

The bill would not publicly identify students.

A companion measure passed last week in the Senate. Both chambers will now vote on each other’s version of the bill.