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 this program. The bill also creates the School Security and Fire Safety Fund to provide grants to local boards of education for improving security and fire safety measures. Each local board is required to appoint a district safety coordinator responsible for overseeing safety protocols, who must have prior crisis response experience and direct access to the local superintendent.

Additionally, the bill introduces the School Mapping Data Program, which will generate detailed maps of each school for emergency response, ensuring compatibility with public safety software and accessibility in both printable and digital formats. Confidentiality provisions are included to protect sensitive information, stating that school security rubric ratings and mapping data are not public records. The act clarifies that it does not create a private right of action against local boards of education or their employees. Key deletions from current law include the removal of any fees for accessing school mapping data, while new insertions include specific training requirements and responsibilities for district safety coordinators. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024.

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