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Committee approves law to allow mobile panic-alert systems in schools, shifts training to vendors
Summary
A House committee adopted an amendment and reported favorably on H3258 to enable mobile panic alert systems in public schools, move mandatory training to vendors, and direct the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to identify eligible vendors by Jan. 1, 2026.
A South Carolina House committee voted to advance H3258, legislation that would enable the use of mobile panic-alert systems in public schools and require coordination among law enforcement and first responders. The committee adopted a department-requested amendment that moves mandatory user training from the state Department of Education to the vendor and says the vendor must provide training; it also preserves the department’s authority to promulgate regulations. The amendment passed 16–0 with two members absent.
The bill directs the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to identify vendors that meet requirements no later than Jan. 1, 2026. Committee members and witnesses said multiple systems could be purchased and that SLED’s role is intended to ensure interoperability and to advise on cost-effective choices for local districts.
Committee members discussed funding but did not set a source in committee. The transcript records that Representative Pope and Representative Bannister are working with Ways and Means on funding; committee members reiterated that the committee’s role is to provide enabling legislation while funding decisions will be made in Ways and Means. Members cited existing district pilots and said the systems can be used for active-shooter responses and medical emergencies.
Staff and a representative of the School Administrators Association told the committee that districts reported an average ongoing cost of about $8,000 per school annually for service fees, with initial implementation and infrastructure costs reported in a wide range. The record showed initial cost estimates ranging from about $52,000 to $325,000 per school for some districts; the transcript also recorded a precautionary, broad estimate from one source that implementation costs could range up to $10,000,000 per district, though that high-end figure was discussed with skepticism in committee.
After discussion, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended by a vote of 15–0 with three members absent. Sponsors recorded in the committee summary include Representatives Pope, Gillum, Martin and Grant. Committee members and staff said funding questions remain to be resolved in Ways and Means.
