The "School Emergency Drills Act" introduces new guidelines for conducting emergency drills in schools, including fire, lockdown, and evacuation drills, as well as active shooter simulations. It prohibits the participation of students, teachers, and staff in active shooter simulations that involve simulated gunfire, except when students are not present. The act requires schools to notify parents or guardians about emergency drill training at the beginning of each school year. Amendments to existing law include the removal of the requirement for two evacuation drills, allowing one fire drill to be replaced with an evacuation drill under certain conditions, and providing school administrators with discretion to modify drills and protection from personal liability. Additionally, schools must develop a debriefing plan for actual emergencies, involving local emergency responders and school mental health professionals.

The bill also mandates that schools, including colleges and universities, conduct drills during summer sessions and requires obstructed drills to simulate real-life scenarios. It defines "residence facility" and limits fire drills to buildings used for such facilities, with non-compliance resulting in a misdemeanor and a fine. School safety plans must now include collaboration with emergency services, annual safety training, and protocols for various emergencies, including "swatting." New insertions to the bill allow for advance notice of lockdown drills, inclusion of school-based mental health professionals, trauma-informed practices, and detailed procedures for emergency drills. The bill also introduces the "Trauma-informed Schools Act," requiring the integration of trauma-informed practices into schools by July 1, 2024, to ensure that emergency responses are sensitive to the potential trauma of students and staff.

Statutes affected:
8102: 23-28.12-36