Behavioral Threat Assessment Team Reminders

HB 123 (i.e., Ohio Revised Code sections 3313.669, 3314.03) included a mandate that all community, local, city, exempted village, and joint vocational school districts had to have a threat assessment team in place by March 24, 2023. Those requirements are listed below:

• Each building, serving grades six-12, is required to have a behavioral threat assessment team.
• Each member of the team must complete an approved training listed on the Ohio School Safety Center website.
• Each member's completion certificates must be uploaded to the school safety plan portal once training is completed.

A guide is included below that may assist in the implementation of a threat assessment team.

HB 123 (i.e., Ohio Revised Code sections 5502.262, 3314.03) also required these same entities to include the following in their emergency operations plan. 

• Each building must have a threat assessment plan.
  • The model plan included below may be adopted as-is but it is highly recommended that the school's plan is tailored to meet the needs of the district or building.
• Each threat assessment team must have a protocol.
  • A protocol shall include procedures determined to be appropriate by the administrator for responding to threats and emergency events, respectively, including such things as notification of appropriate law enforcement personnel, calling upon specified emergency response personnel for assistance and informing parents of affected students.
  • Tip: When creating your protocol, keep in mind that your threat assessment plan should outline what you will do, and the protocol should outline how you will do it. For example,
    • Plan element: Assess the threat
    • Protocol: [insert steps you will take to assess the threat]
  • Tip: Consult your threat assessment training materials for guidance.
  • Tip: Your school already creates protocols for various other hazard types (e.g., tornados, train derailments, etc.).