In Nashville, Tennessee, a Republican lawmaker is pushing for schools to proactively gather information on potential warning signs in students to help prevent crises before they occur.

Senator Bill Powers, representing Clarksville, has introduced a bill that mandates school districts and public charter schools to adopt a digital system. This system would allow teachers and staff to record data on early warning indicators related to student health, safety, and behavior. These indicators include incidents of bullying, harassment, intimidation, mental health concerns, substance abuse, and self-harm.

JC Bowman, who serves as the executive director and CEO of the Professional Educators of Tennessee, expressed strong support for the proposed legislation. Speaking to News 2, Bowman emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “We believe it’s a significant win for the children—primarily for the well-being of the kids—because without understanding the issues a child faces, it’s impossible to provide the necessary help.”

The legislation stipulates that whenever a warning sign is documented, school personnel must alert the district’s Threat Assessment Team. This team is tasked with deciding the appropriate response to each situation. Additionally, school districts would be required to submit an annual report to the state, outlining the identified warning signs and the subsequent actions taken. Importantly, these reports would not contain any information that could identify individual students.

The bill would require school staff to notify the district’s Threat Assessment Team each time an early warning sign is entered into the system. That team would determine how the school should respond and address the situation. Every year, districts would be required to send a report to the state containing the early warning signs entered by staff and the actions taken, without including any identifying information about the students.

Bowman added the proposal would give teachers and staff the power and knowledge they need to help students and prevent tragedies.

“It’s very important that we look at how we can identify [and] help the kids get the help they need and find adults in the building — and if necessary, go outside the building and find them help — and involve the parents in the process,” Bowman said.

Bowman told News 2 it’s important that the data remains private and the digital system is secure.

The bill still needs a sponsor in the House. The Tennessee General Assembly is set to reconvene for the legislative session on Jan. 13.