2026-2027 Protect Act
Interacting with Law Enforcement Officers Engaged in Civil Law Enforcement (PROTECT Act)
In Haverhill Public Schools, we recognize the importance of all students being known and valued, and we promote a safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment for all students. All of our students have a right to a free public education regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, disability, or sexual orientation.
The PROTECT Act states, except as required by state or federal law or as required for the Commonwealth or its subdivisions to administer a state or federally supported or funded program, civil arrests for civil law enforcement, including federal immigration enforcement, are not allowed on school grounds during school hours, student drop off and pick up windows, before- and after-school programming and school-sponsored events without a Judicial Warrant or Judicial Order.
The Superintendent/Executive Director shall implement PROTECT Act procedures consistent with the Model Procedures and the Guidance for K-12 Schools Related to Interacting with Civil Law Enforcement issued by the Governor’s Office, the Executive Office of Education, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The procedures shall be implemented, wherever applicable, in alignment with District Emergency Operations Plans, Medical and Behavioral Health Emergency Response Plans, and the School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding.
These procedures will be designed in accordance with the guidance provided and promote schools that are safe and accessible for students, staff and residents, and shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) Procedures for identifying and designating a senior administrator at each district superintendent’s office or executive director’s office, as the case may be, to serve as the individual responsible for having primary contact with law enforcement agents engaged in civil law enforcement for the school system and the central point of contact for schools on interactions with civil law enforcement;
(ii) Procedures for identifying and designating a senior administrator at each school to serve as the individuals responsible for having primary contact with law enforcement agents engaged in civil law enforcement who arrive on site at the school or request information about students, employees, or other persons affiliated with the school;
(iii) Procedures for contacting the school district’s attorney;
(iv) Procedures for contacting the senior administrator at the school and the district superintendent/executive director’s office in the event law enforcement agents engaged in civil law enforcement arrive on school grounds or request information about students, employees, or other persons affiliated with the school;
(v) Procedures for documenting all interactions with law enforcement agents engaged in civil law enforcement while on school grounds;
(vi) Procedures for notifying a student’s parents or guardian or the student directly if the student is 18 years or older or emancipated, if a law enforcement agent engaged in civil law enforcement requests access to a student or student’s information for any civil law enforcement purpose;
(vii) Procedures following the confirmation of law enforcement agents engaged in civil law enforcement on school grounds, including notifying parents and guardians, teachers, administrators, and school personnel;
(viii) Procedures to confirm and update students’ emergency contacts, with allowance for more than one person to be listed, and alternative caregiver plans; and
(ix) A plan to share these procedures with students and families on the school district’s website.
Once adopted by a school district, charter school or collaborative school, this policy and the accompanying procedures shall constitute the written emergency response plan required by the Act.
CROSS REFS.: EBC, EMERGENCY PLANS
ECA, BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS SECURITY
ECAF, SECURITY CAMERAS IN SCHOOLS
JIH, SEARCHES AND INTERROGATIONS
JRA, STUDENT RECORDS
KI, VISITORS TO THE SCHOOLS
KLG, RELATIONS WITH POLICE AUTHORITIES
LEGAL REFS.: PROTECT Act, August 2026
SOURCE: MASC adapted from Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education -August 2026
NOTE: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Office of Refugees and Immigrants and the Attorney General’s Office, will release a model training relating to the implementation of these procedures. Schools are encouraged to share this training, once released, with managers and other staff.