Committee advances bill to let school-security grant buy emergency communication hardware and staff devices

SB 1216, an act concerning school emergency response systems, was reported favorably out of the Committee on Children on Feb. 25 by roll-call vote. The substitute language clarifies that funds from the school security infrastructure competitive grant program may be used to purchase hardware associated with emergency-response communication systems and personal emergency communication devices carried by school personnel.

Committee members said the bill originated with student concerns. Senator Marr noted the measure “was brought forward by Staples High School students” and thanked the two students, Elijah and Xander, who asked the committee to consider increased safety measures. The sponsor moved a joint favorable substitute (LCO 5428) and Representative Dauphine seconded the motion.

The nut of the substitute language is an explicit capital-equipment clarification: it adds the word “hardware” to authorization language so the grant money can pay for capital purchases tied to emergency-response systems. Senator Marr told the committee the change “says hardware associated with emergency response communication systems” so the line item is clearly capital in nature and can be expended from the existing program funds established after the Sandy Hook tragedy.

Representative Mastro Francesco pressed for clarity about a phrase in the bill: “personal emergency communication devices.” She asked whether the phrase meant a staff member’s privately owned device or school-issued equipment. Senator Marr and staff explained the bill envisions a device that a staff member carries (similar in appearance to an ID card) and that can be pressed to alert police directly. Marr said the device is school-owned and not a reimbursement to staff for a personal product: “it is a device that they carry on their person,” and the school or district would provide it.

The committee took a roll-call vote on the substitute and recorded a unanimous favorable recommendation among the members who voted. Actions recorded for SB 1216: motion for joint favorable substitute to the floor (mover: Senator Marr; second: Representative Dauphine); outcome: approved.

The bill’s supporters emphasized that the change is intended to allow districts to use an existing competitive grant to buy clearly defined capital equipment and school-issued emergency-alert devices for staff. The committee did not identify a fiscal note at the hearing.

Votes at a glance: the roll call for SB 1216 recorded yes votes from Representative Barriss, Senator Maher, Representative Wheelander, Representative Dauphine, Representative Comey, Representative Kitt, Senator Kushner, Representative Lanou, Representative Martinez, Representative Mastro Francesco, Representative McGee and Representative Pezzuto; outcome: reported favorably to the floor.

The committee held the roll-call vote and moved the bill to the floor with the described substitute; further action will occur on the full chamber floor.