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Senate OKs school‑mapping bill to give first responders digital plans for quicker active‑shooter response
Summary
Senate Bill 126 requires mapping data for public and charter schools to be coordinated with the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools so law‑enforcement and first responders have access to building maps; the measure passed unanimously and sponsors said they will consider including private schools later.
The Senate approved Senate Bill 126 by Senator Kleinpeter, a measure requiring coordinated delivery of school‑mapping data to help law‑enforcement and first responders respond more quickly to incidents at schools. The sponsor described the bill as the "Protect Our Children Response Act," following on earlier school‑safety work passed in 2023.
Kleinpeter said the bill directs the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools to coordinate and provide mapping data for public schools and to make tools and plans available to first responders. The floor adopted amendments clarifying that charter schools are included in the data set; the sponsor said he is willing to consider private schools in follow‑up discussions but did not add them in this version.
Senator Edmonds spoke in support and described the measure as one piece of a broader school‑safety strategy. Senator Connick asked whether private Catholic and other nonpublic schools were included; Kleinpeter said he would discuss potential expansion between the Senate and House.
On final passage the chamber recorded 37 yeas and 0 nays. Sponsors said the mapping data will provide quicker situational awareness and tactical plans for first responders and that the legislation builds on previous grants and school‑safety equipment programs enacted in prior sessions.
