The proposed School Security Act aims to enhance safety and security in Alabama's public K-12 schools by establishing the School Security Program, which mandates periodic inspections of school facilities to ensure compliance with security criteria. The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the State Fire Marshal, will develop rules for administering this program and will evaluate local boards of education based on their adherence to these criteria. Additionally, the bill creates the School Security and Fire Safety Fund to provide grants for improving school security and fire safety measures. It also introduces the School Mapping Data Program, requiring ALEA to create detailed maps of each school for emergency response, ensuring that this data is regularly updated and only shared with relevant public safety and education agencies.

Moreover, the bill mandates that each local board of education designate a district safety coordinator with prior crisis response experience, who will have direct access to the local superintendent. This coordinator is responsible for completing training related to emergency operations, conducting safety drills, and coordinating with local public safety officials. The bill ensures that school mapping data is compatible with public safety software and is available in both printable and digital formats, while prohibiting fees for access. It also establishes that school security rubric ratings and mapping data are confidential and not public records, and clarifies that the act does not create a private right of action against local boards of education or their employees. The effective date for the implementation of this act is set for October 1, 2024. Key insertions include the designation of district safety coordinators and their training requirements, while deletions involve any conflicting previous provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-19-3, 41-4-80
Engrossed: 36-19-3, 41-4-80
Enrolled: 16-1-44, 36-19-3, 41-4-80