Threats Against School Employees (H 7552)

Though we are very sympathetic to the interest in protecting employees in light of the nationwide upswell of threats made to various personnel, we opposed legislation that would make it a felony with a potential sentence of up to five years in prison for an individual to threaten school officials with physical harm based on their public duties. While true threats do not merit First Amendment protection, this broadly written bill could ensnare people engaged in rhetorical excess by not requiring an actual intent to harm, and the imposition of severe felony penalties is unduly harsh.