Mississippi Lawmaker Sponsors Bill Requiring Active Shooter Drills
At least “one emergency law enforcement drill per semester” would have to be conducted to address emergencies like active shooter situations, according to the bill. The bill would also require students to be present when the drills were conducted.
- By Jessica Davis
- January 22, 2019
Mississippi State Rep. Christopher Bell has sponsored a bill that would require schools to collaborate with law enforcement on conducting active shooter and other emergency drills.
At least “one emergency law enforcement drill per semester” would have to be conducted to address emergencies like active shooter situations, according to the bill. The bill would also require students to be present when the drills were conducted.
The bill, HB 332, aims to “help curb the growing incidence of violence in schools” by requiring school safety plans to include training on school violence prevention, school security, mental health awareness, school threat assessment and other problems.
The bill would also require campuses to evaluate and clarify security measures, as well as strengthening partnerships with public safety officials and law enforcement. It also calls for campuses to create social media strategies and communication plans for use in case of a crisis.
State officials would help districts with crisis response teams, site surveys, safety audits, crisis management planning and other safety issues.
The bill would also require that students, parents, teachers and public safety officials to give input on safety plans. The plans would have to be approved by local law enforcement, emergency management officials and the state department of education.
About the Author
Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.