PHOENIX, AZ — House Bill 2119 is making its way through the state legislature.
It would require school administrators to contact police and parents if the school receives a serious threat. It would also require the school board to enforce procedures. If ignored, administrators could face penalties.
John Goodenow first brought the idea forward to State Senator Nancy Barto, after his son was named in a shooting threat at Mountain Trail Middle School last year.
"Nobody from the school made an effort to contact the parents," Goodenow said. Police confirmed they were also never notified.
RELATED: Parents angry after Paradise Valley school doesn't report school threat to police.
Last week, Sen. Barto presented HB 2119 to the Public Safety Committee. "The need for direction may be at other schools as well," Sen. Barto said.
Under current law: "There really isn't any sort of penalty or teeth to holding someone criminally accountable if they do not report this," Legal Analyst Hector Diaz said.
"If we as parents don't hold our schools, our school boards, our elected officials accountable then nobody else will do it," Goodenow said.
HB2119 passed the Public Safety Committee and is headed to the House floor for review.
