Emergency action calls for committee on school violence

Scott Reeder

Tuesday, May 18, 1999 | 12:22 p.m.

CARSON CITY -- You can call it Nevada's response to the violence in a Colorado high school.

Just weeks after the bloody school shooting in Littleton, Colo., the Nevada Legislature is considering forming a task force to develop plans for responding to a similar school emergency. The committee also would be responsible for finding ways of preventing school violence.

Assembly Bill 686 is being introduced as emergency legislation by Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington.

The 11-member Commission on School Safety and Juvenile Violence would consist of representatives of law enforcement, the Legislature, teachers, school administrators and parents. Commission members would be appointed by Gov. Kenny Guinn, Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, and Dini.

The proposal was unanimously endorsed by the Assembly Education Committee on Monday.

The commission would hold at least three public hearings.

"We need to explore ways to be better informed about potential acts of violence," Assemblyman Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, said. "We need to find a way that a kid won't be branded 'a snitch' if he warns adults about potential violence. Perhaps we could set up a hotline where students can call anonymously to warn about potential violence."

The bill will now be considered by the full Assembly.