School Safety Amendments

Created a new State Security Chief position within the Department of Public Safety to oversee all school safety standards, training, and data reporting.

Established a School Safety Foundation that can use state cooperative contracts to bulk-purchase security products and distribute them to schools.

Mandated annual cybersecurity assessments for local education agencies and the creation of minimum cybersecurity standards by the State Security Chief.

Required all schools to include cardiac emergency preparedness (CPR and AED training/equipment) in their safety needs assessments and emergency plans.

Added a requirement for higher education institutions to conduct annual safety needs assessments covering infrastructure, threat assessment, and cybersecurity.

Changed the deadline for school safety needs assessments from December 31 to October 15 of each year.

Mandated that all classrooms be equipped with wearable panic alert devices that communicate directly with public safety answering points.

Required school districts to offer annual parent seminars on mental health, bullying, and suicide prevention, with specific timing options for attendance.

Established a new grant program and curriculum for CPR instruction for students in grades 9 through 12.

Expanded the training requirements for School Safety and Security Directors to include specific training for school resource officers and armed security guards.

Adjusted the student enrollment threshold for schools where a single individual cannot hold multiple safety roles from 350 to 100 students.

Updated the definition of 'School employee' to exclude teachers and principals from being school guardians unless the school has 100 or fewer students.

Created a School Security Task Force with three separate advisory boards (Public Education, Higher Education, and a general board) to review safety updates and develop legislation.

Created a new State Security Chief position within the department to oversee school safety standards, training, and coordination with law enforcement.

Established a School Safety Foundation that can make bulk purchases of safety equipment and facilitate donations to schools.

Changed school safety needs assessment deadlines from December 31 to October 15 and adjusted assessment frequency requirements.

Revised school safety personnel requirements to allow for alternatives like school guardians or armed security guards based on needs assessments.

Required panic alert devices for classroom teachers and universal access key boxes at school entry points.

Appropriated $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to support school safety grants, research, and compliance support systems.

Updated definitions for school safety personnel roles including school guardians, security directors, and armed security guards with specific training and certification requirements.

Modified reporting requirements for substantial threats and established a tiered system of support for compliance issues.

Changed school safety needs assessment deadline from December 31 to October 15 of each year, and modified assessment frequency requirements.

Adjusted repeal dates for several sections, including School Security Task Force provisions now set to expire December 31, 2025.

Reduced appropriated funding from $50,000,000 to $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 school safety grants.

Established a school safety foundation authorization process with specific criteria for nonprofit organizations to receive state cooperative contracts.

Adjusted school safety personnel requirements to allow school guardians as an alternative to school resource officers or armed security guards based on needs assessments.

Created a tiered system of support for compliance issues with technical assistance, intervention, and corrective action levels.

Modified reporting requirements for school safety incidents and added provisions for armed security guard reporting of firearm use.

Updated definitions for various school safety roles including school safety and security specialist, director, and school guardian.

Created a new State Security Chief position within the department with authority to establish building and safety standards, oversee school safety personnel, and track security data.

Modified school safety personnel requirements to allow for school guardians as an alternative to school resource officers or armed security guards.

Established a School Safety Foundation that can make bulk purchases of safety products and receive state cooperative contract funding.

Reduced the total funding appropriation from $100 million to $50 million for fiscal year 2026.

Changed school safety needs assessment deadlines from December 31, 2024 to October 15 of each year.

Added new definitions for school safety roles including School Guardian, School Safety and Security Director, and School Safety and Security Specialist.

Added reporting requirements for school guardians and armed security guards who point firearms at individuals during their duties.

Created a School Safety Support Program with $100 million in funding for fiscal year 2026 to support LEAs in implementing school safety requirements.

Established a state security chief position within the department to oversee school safety programs and standards.

Required LEAs to conduct annual school safety needs assessments covering personnel, building security, threat assessment, and cybersecurity preparedness.

Created new advisory boards for the School Security Task Force including public education and higher education components.

Required higher education institutions to conduct annual safety needs assessments by October 15 and submit results to the state security chief.

Established requirements for panic alert devices, security camera access, and universal access key boxes in schools.

Created a school guardian program allowing school employees with concealed carry permits to carry firearms on campus after completing training and mental health screenings.

Added new definitions for school safety personnel roles including school guardians, school safety and security directors, and armed school security guards.

Changed school safety needs assessment deadlines from December 31, 2024 to October 15 of each year.

Established a tiered system of support for compliance issues with technical assistance, intervention, and corrective actions.

Updated building and fire safety standards in the International Fire Code, including requirements for fire sprinklers, elevator key access, and emergency responder communication coverage.

Created a new State Security Chief position within the department to oversee school safety standards and coordinate with law enforcement.

Added requirements for schools to conduct annual safety needs assessments and report results by October 15 each year.

Created new roles for School Safety and Security Specialists and Directors with specific training and coordination responsibilities.

Established two new advisory boards (Public Education and Higher Education) to advise the School Security Task Force.

Changed school safety personnel requirements to allow school guardians or armed security guards as alternatives to school resource officers.

Added higher education campus safety assessment requirements and updated crime reporting for student housing facilities.

Created a School Safety Foundation to facilitate bulk purchases and donations of school safety equipment and technology.

Added requirements for panic alert devices in classrooms and universal access key boxes for emergency responders.

Established a School Guardian program allowing trained school employees with concealed carry permits to carry firearms on campus for self-defense and active threat response.

Adjusted assessment deadlines from December 31, 2024 to October 15 of each year for ongoing compliance.

Created a new State Security Chief position within the department to oversee school safety standards and personnel requirements.

Established a School Guardian program allowing trained school employees with concealed carry permits to carry firearms on campus for safety purposes.

Added requirements for higher education institutions to conduct annual safety needs assessments covering cybersecurity, emergency response, and threat assessment capabilities.

Added new definitions for School Guardian, School Safety and Security Director, and School Safety and Security Specialist to clarify roles and responsibilities.

Created new roles including School Safety and Security Director as LEA point of contact and School Safety and Security Specialist to support safety initiatives.

Changed school safety needs assessment deadlines from December 31 to October 15 of each year.

Created a School Safety Foundation that can participate in state cooperative contracts to purchase safety equipment and distribute products to schools.

Established a tiered system of support for compliance issues with technical assistance, intervention, and corrective action options.

Modified school safety personnel requirements to allow for alternatives based on school size, staffing capacity, and geographic location.

Added new reporting requirements for armed school security guards and school guardians regarding firearm use incidents.