House Bill No. by Representative Mike Johnson aims to amend and reenact various provisions related to school emergency operations plans in Louisiana. The bill replaces the term "crisis management and response" with "emergency operations" throughout the relevant statutes, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to school safety. Key components of the bill include the establishment of a "safety and emergency team" that must include representatives from various school departments, the requirement for schools to conduct safety drills, and the necessity for principals to prepare and revise emergency operations plans in consultation with local law enforcement and emergency officials. Additionally, the bill mandates that classroom doors be locked and secured during instructional time and outlines the responsibilities of school principals in training staff on emergency procedures.

The bill also introduces new definitions and terminologies related to emergency preparedness activities, categorizing them into discussion-based and operations-based exercises. It requires public schools to complete annual safety questionnaires to assess compliance with emergency plan requirements and to report on the status of their plans. Furthermore, the bill repeals certain outdated provisions related to crisis management and response, streamlining the legal framework governing school safety. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of schools in the event of emergencies, ensuring a safer environment for students and staff.

Statutes affected:
HB624 Original: 17:16(A)(1), 17:3996(B)(33), 17:16(G)(4)
HB624 Engrossed: 17:16(A)(1), 17:3996(B)(33), 17:16(G)(4)
HB624 Enrolled: 17:16(A)(1), 17:3996(B)(33), 17:16(G)(4)