S99 - Appropriations Act of 2018. (SL 2018-5)

Session Year 2018

Overview: OVERVIEW and ANALYSIS: Sec. 7.26 of S.L. 2018-5 amends the statutes related to anonymous tip lines. This section provides that the governing body of each public secondary school must develop and operate an anonymous tip line in coordination with local law enforcement and social services agencies to receive information on risks to the school population, school buildings, and school-related activities.

The governing body of each public secondary school can use the anonymous tip line available statewide developed by the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) or it may use another application that meets standards and guidelines developed by DPI. However, the State Board of Education must use the tip line developed by the State agencies for all public secondary schools under its control. Public secondary schools must inform students about the application and provide opportunities for the students to learn about its purpose and function. The governing body of each public secondary school must also work with the Division of School Operations and the Center for Safer Schools at DPI to ensure that employees of the public secondary schools receive adequate training for the application. The section further clarifies that the Department of Public Safety is to work together with DPI on issues related to the anonymous tip line.

This section creates a definition of "public secondary school" which includes any of the following public schools serving grades six or higher:

  • A school under the control of a local school administrative unit.
  • A school under the control of the State Board of Education.
  • A school under the control of The University of North Carolina.
  • A charter school.
  • A regional school.

Of the funds appropriated to DPI for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, up to $5,000,000 in nonrecurring funds must be used to support the anonymous tip line application implemented by DPI. By July 1, 2019, DPI must make the statewide anonymous tip line application available to all public secondary schools in the State.

This section became effective July 1, 2018.

Additional Information: