Substitute House Bill No. 7077 seeks to improve crisis response drills in Connecticut schools by establishing new guidelines and requirements that will take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill mandates the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), in collaboration with the Connecticut Center for School Safety and Crisis Prevention, to develop standardized terminology, definitions, and guidance for crisis response drills, including debriefing protocols and an evaluation template. It also requires a study on the impact of these drills on the school community, with reports due to the General Assembly by April 1, 2026, and July 1, 2028. The bill amends Section 10-231 of the general statutes, replacing the previous requirement for consultation with local law enforcement with a focus on developing crisis response drill formats in accordance with the new protocols.

Key provisions of the bill include prohibiting active assailant simulations during drills with students, requiring advance notice of drills to students, parents, and staff, and ensuring communication is provided in the native languages of the school community. Additionally, it requires each board of education to submit their school security and safety plans to DESPP and make non-confidential portions available to the school community upon request. The bill emphasizes trauma-informed approaches and the psychological safety of students and staff during drills. It also retains existing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exceptions to protect sensitive safety information from disclosure. Overall, the implementation of these new protocols is expected to incur costs estimated at $117,882 in the first two fiscal years.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-231
ED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-231
File No. 598: 10-231