states pursuing school facility safety measures

More than thirty bills have been introduced in the legislatures of 17 states in the last two months calling for enhanced school building security.

Those bills have all been in response to the February killing of 17 students at a high school in Parkland, Florida.

Altogether, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there have been upwards of 200 bills in 27 states addressing a wide variety of school safety issues, including proposals for arming school personnel ad requiring schools to have in place emergency response plans.

The bills dealing with the facility side of the question are calling for funding for such things as reinforced doors, school-wide alarm systems, metal detectors, and even classroom armored shelters.

In Michigan, legislators are expected to vote soon on a proposal by Governor Rick Snyder to spend $20 million upgrading school facility security at some 400 schools.

Lawmakers in New Jersey have passed a bill calling for a November election on a state-wide bond that would fund up to $1 billion on facility security measures.

In Minnesota, the state legislature is considering a proposal to create a $50 million dedicated fund to pay for such school building enhancements as bullet proof glass and single, secured entrance and exit points.

By Garry Boulard