Hartford, CT – The Connecticut General Assembly has passed House Bill 7066, a measure that sets new guidelines for schools dealing with immigration policies and federal enforcement authorities.
The bill outlines specific steps educational institutions must take in response to immigration-related situations on campus.
“We have had calls from folks, asking us how do they deal with this new way of operating,” said State Sen. Gary Winfield at a public testimony. “And while the laws themselves might not have changed, the way we operate as a country has.”
The bill, passed by the House on Feb. 24 and the Senate on Feb. 25, follows directives issued on Jan. 28 by Gov. Ned Lamont and the Connecticut State Department of Education regarding immigration concerns in schools.
“Schools are no longer necessarily the safe spaces they were,” Winfield said.
The bill mandates that superintendents, regional educational service centers, state charter schools, and approved academies must appoint at least one designated individual to oversee interactions with federal immigration authorities.
This individual will be responsible for verifying the legitimacy of any federal immigration officers and granting permission for school personnel to engage with them.
Additionally, the bill requires administrators to assist school boards in updating security and safety plans to align with “The Guidance to K-12 Public Schools Pertaining to Immigration Activities” issued by the Department of Education.
The changes must be incorporated into the 2024-2025 Academic Safety and Security Plans and submitted to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Parents and guardians serving on school safety committees will not have access to these updates.
The bill also ensures that school employees cannot be disciplined for following these policies.
“After the bill is enacted, the school authorities would have to be notified within seven days, and it would require an update to the 24-25 School Safety plan and package,” Winfield said.
The bill is set to take effect on April 1.
