Video surveillance cameras; require in certain areas of school facilities for protection of exceptional children.

HB 1248 would require Mississippi school districts to install video surveillance cameras with audio in specific areas of school facilities, including self-contained classrooms for exceptional children, hallways, cafeterias, gymnasiums, and exterior perimeters, to enhance safety for exceptional students. The bill restricts access to recorded footage to district superintendents, principals, and licensed school personnel, and mandates privacy protections for students not involved in incidents captured by the cameras. School districts could contract with external companies for monitoring services through a public bidding process but would no longer need to employ daily security personnel or require immediate law enforcement presence in schools with the cameras installed.