Kansas committee hears bill setting standards for active-shooter drills and requiring yearly violence-prevention instruction

Senate Bill 263, the Students Safe at School Act, was presented to the Kansas Senate Committee on Education with provisions that would set statewide standards for active-shooter drills and simulations, require schools to provide evidence-based violence-prevention training for students in grades 6 through 12, and establish parental notice and opt-in/opt-out rules.

The bill’s overview was presented by Tamara Lawrence, a committee staff member, who told the panel that the legislation would not mandate active-shooter drills but would make them one defined type of the three crisis drills already required under current law. “This bill does not require that schools conduct active shooter drills,” Lawrence said, adding that the statute would require schools that choose to conduct such drills to follow standards in the bill, provide 24-hour advance notice to parents, allow parental opt-out for students, and provide a debrief and student access to mental-health services after drills.

Supporters and neutral witnesses described the proposal as an attempt to create uniform definitions and trauma-informed procedures while preserving local planning. Katya Rodriguez, manager of state policy for Sandy Hook Promise, testified in strong support and described the bill’s distinction between drills and simulations: “Drills focus on preparedness, teaching students and staff how to respond to a crisis safely,” Rodriguez said. “Simulations, on the other hand, are trauma inducing by nature and mimic real life shootings.” Rodriguez said SB 263 would not require active-shooter drills and would exempt students from mandatory participation in full simulations.

Officials from education organizations offered neutral testimony emphasizing local control and implementation logistics. Jim Carlskin of United School Administrators and Timothy Graham of the Kansas National Education Association both said they were neutral on the bill and urged continued consultation with local school boards, administrators and law-enforcement partners. Graham recommended that the committee consider adding an allowance for educators to opt out of full-scale simulations for physical or emotional reasons.

Key provisions described in the hearing

- Current statutory context: Lawrence noted existing law requires three crisis drills each school year; witness testimony clarified that state law also requires two tornado drills and four fire drills (nine drills total under existing statute). The bill would explicitly include active-shooter drills within the definition of a crisis drill when a district chooses to use that type of drill.

- Drill vs. simulation: The bill would define and differentiate an “active shooter drill” (practice focused on preparedness and safe responses) from an “active shooter simulation” (a staged event that could include simulated gunfire, mock injuries or role-playing). Simulations would not be permitted during regular school hours when students are present and would require parental opt-in for students in grades 9–12.

- Notice and opt-out: Schools conducting an active-shooter drill would be required to notify parents at least 24 hours in advance, and parents would be able to opt their students out of participation. Students who do not participate would be offered alternative safety education.

- Mental-health supports and debrief: The bill would require drills to include a debrief and to provide student access to mental-health services following an active-shooter drill.

- State support and evaluation: The Kansas Department of Education would be required to provide a list of vendors that can advise schools on how to conduct drills and to partner with the Department of Health and Environment to create guidelines to measure drill effectiveness.

- Simulations: The bill would prohibit mandatory participation in active-shooter simulations, specify that simulations cannot occur during regular school hours while students are present, and allow parental opt-in for students in grades 9–12 for simulations conducted outside regular hours.

Questions and points of emphasis at the hearing

Committee members asked for clarity about whether the bill mandates drills or leaves the choice to local districts; witnesses repeatedly said the bill does not require districts to conduct active-shooter drills but sets standards if a district elects to do so. Several witnesses urged working with local boards and emergency-management partners to preserve local control over drill logistics. A number of panelists urged adding explicit protections allowing educators to opt out of participating in full-scale simulations for health or safety reasons.

What the bill does not do

Supporters noted the bill does not ban all simulations; it exempts students from mandatory participation and limits when simulations can occur. Witnesses also said the bill does not require use of any particular vendor or training program; instead, it would establish standards and permit multiple evidence-based providers.

Next steps

The committee closed the hearing on SB 263 after receiving proponent, neutral and written opponent submissions. No vote was recorded at the hearing; committee members indicated willingness to work on potential clarifying amendments related to local control and staff/educator opt-out provisions.

Ending note

Committee members and witnesses emphasized the need to balance student and staff well-being with preparedness. Multiple witnesses urged continued collaboration among the legislature, KSDE, local school boards, law enforcement and county emergency-management partners as the bill is developed.