The proposed bill, if enacted, would establish a School Mapping Data Program within the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to enhance emergency response capabilities on school campuses. It would require the development of standardized requirements and guidelines for school mapping data, ensuring that the data is accurate, standardized, and accessible to public safety agencies. Key provisions include ensuring compatibility with existing software used by public safety agencies, prohibiting additional costs for accessing the data, and mandating that schools develop and annually review their mapping data in accordance with these guidelines. The bill also specifies that the mapping data produced is exempt from public disclosure.

Additionally, the bill would create a School Mapping Data Program Fund, which would be continuously appropriated and exempt from lapsing, allowing schools to apply for grants to cover the costs of developing the required mapping data. The legislation appropriates $10,360,000 from the state General Fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support this initiative. The definition of "school" is clarified to include only public schools offering instruction from kindergarten through grade 12, and it removes the inclusion of accredited private schools from this definition.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-231.01
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-231.01