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Committee advances bill to let school districts contract for verified digital campus maps for first responders
Summary
AB 598 would allow school districts to contract with vendors to create standardized, verified digital maps of K–12 campuses for emergency responders; the committee advanced the vendor‑neutral bill to appropriations and members asked the author to consult 911 and rural districts on access and cost.
Assemblymember Gibson presented AB 598 to establish standardized, verified digital school maps for K–12 campuses that could be integrated into platforms used by first responders and 911 dispatch centers.
Gibson and witnesses said up‑to‑date, room‑level maps reduce delays for responding tactical teams; the presentation cited Uvalde and Sandy Hook as incidents where outdated or unavailable maps hindered response. The bill is vendor neutral, allowing districts to contract with qualified providers but requiring standardized, CJIS‑compliant protections and integration with existing responder platforms.
A representative of the California chapter of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) urged an amendment to ensure Cal OES implements the program in consultation with the 911 Advisory Board so dispatchers’ needs are incorporated. Cost estimates discussed in the hearing were preliminary; a witness cited roughly $5,000 per school as a working figure that could vary by school size.
Members raised rural equity concerns and asked the author to consider grant or subsidy mechanisms so small, rural districts—often lacking discretionary funds—are not left behind. The committee advanced the bill to the Committee on Appropriations.
