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Rep. Paul Frost files bill to require one‑hour annual emergency‑preparedness lesson in Massachusetts schools
Summary
Representative Paul K. Frost filed a bill on Jan. 15, 2025, that would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a minimum one‑hour per school year emergency preparedness instructional awareness program for students and faculty across Massachusetts schools.
Representative Paul K. Frost filed a bill on Jan. 15, 2025, that would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a minimum one‑hour per school year emergency preparedness instructional awareness program for students and faculty across Massachusetts schools. House Docket No. 1603 (House No. 883) was submitted in the One Hundred and Ninety‑Fourth General Court (2025–2026).
The bill would amend Chapter 69 of the Massachusetts General Laws by inserting a new Section 1R titled “Emergency Preparedness Instructional Awareness Program.” It directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, to develop at least one hour of annual instruction covering emergency preparedness, planning and management for situations including weather events, natural disasters, viruses and human‑made disasters.
The text of the petition specifies the scope of topics (weather, natural disasters, viruses and human‑made disasters) and the minimum instructional time (1 hour per school year). The filing does not specify curriculum content, implementation timelines, funding sources or whether the instruction would be mandatory for all grade levels or adapted by age.
The petition form notes that similar matter was filed in the previous legislative session (see House No. 735 of 2023–2024). The transcript of the filing does not record any committee referral, public hearing, legislative debate or vote on House No. 883.
Because the bill is a legislative petition at the time of filing, it does not by itself create an enforceable requirement until enacted by the Legislature and signed into law. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency are the state agencies named to develop the program; the petition does not identify an appropriation or any funding mechanism for curriculum development or delivery.
Next steps for the proposal — including committee assignment, public hearings, or amendments — are not specified in the filing record provided.
