House approves optional school-safety program, removes private schools from eligibility

The Arizona House of Representatives voted to approve House Bill 2022, known in debate as the "Save Our Children's Schools" safety program, after the Committee of the Whole recommended the bill do pass as amended.

The bill creates an optional, menu-based school-safety program that districts may choose to adopt. Sponsor Representative Bliss said the measure is built on three categories: equipment and supplies for immediate first aid and mass-casualty response; training in crisis management, de‑escalation and situational awareness; and an option for "highly trained staff ready to defend themselves and others" in extreme cases. "This bill represents a necessary proactive approach to school safety, empowering not only educators, but staff and communities to prevent tragedies, to protect children, and enhance emergency preparedness," Bliss said.

Supporters and sponsors emphasized the program's optional nature and the bill's intention to give schools flexibility. A committee amendment that was adopted during the Committee of the Whole removes private schools from the bill’s application and leaves the program for public schools only. The amendment was described on the floor as narrowing the bill so it applies solely to public schools.

The Committee of the Whole moved that House Bill 2022 do pass as amended; the committee amendment and the bill as amended were adopted by voice vote. The house’s report recommended HB 2022 do pass as amended and referred the bill to engrossing.

Background: the item was considered in Committee of the Whole on the House floor; committee and floor actions were taken by voice vote and no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript for the final passage recommendation.