Committee advances school-safety bill to require mobile rapid-response systems in schools

The Ways and Means Education committee on Thursday voted to give a favorable report, as amended, to House Bill 234, a school-safety measure that would require local boards of education to adopt policies enabling specified employees to carry or possess mobile emergency rapid-response systems by Oct. 1, 2030.

Supporters said the bill is intended to give school staff a rapid way to summon help during emergencies and to let local districts choose the technology that best fits their campuses. "This is a school safety bill," sponsor Representative Alan Baker said. "There are a number of schools that do already have this in place." Baker told the committee the bill initially focused on wearable button devices but was amended to also allow phone-based applications.

The bill would direct local boards to add use and equipment of these systems to local emergency plans and would require training for designated employees. The state Board of Education would adopt rules and approve vendors eligible for use under the statute; local boards could use existing funding sources — including K-12 capital grants and other school-safety funding streams mentioned in recent legislation — to pay for equipment and training. Representative Baker said the statutory compliance date of Oct. 1, 2030, was selected to give districts time to plan and prioritize implementation.

Committee members discussed cost and scope. Representative Levern referenced vendor estimates that put some systems near $10,000 per campus; Representative Collins said a local estimate approached $1 million, depending on the system and the size of the district. Representative Baker and Doctor Mackey, who addressed the committee about district infrastructure, said costs vary by technology and by whether systems rely on school Wi-Fi or mobile networks. Doctor Mackey noted the state has about 1,600 school campuses and estimated that a $10,000-per-campus figure would amount to roughly $16 million statewide, while acknowledging he had not reviewed vendor quotes directly.

The committee adopted an amendment offered by Representative Collins to add the name "Alyssa's Law" and to expand the bill's definition so the devices need not be wearable but may also be carried or otherwise in the possession of designated employees. Representative Faulkner seconded the amendment. The amended bill advanced on a voice vote and the committee chair announced a favorable report "as amended." Representatives on the record said they expected districts to use a mix of local funds and existing capital grant programs to pay for equipment; committee testimony also flagged connectivity limits for off-campus events such as athletic practices where school Wi‑Fi may not reach.

Committee members asked staff and the sponsor to gather additional cost estimates and vendor information before the bill moves to the full chamber. Representative Baker and other members said they will continue to consult with district officials and vendors about pricing, deployment models and training requirements.

Members who spoke on the record included Representative Alan Baker (bill sponsor), Representative Collins (amendment sponsor), Representative Faulkner (second to amendment), and Doctor Mackey (district official who answered implementation and connectivity questions). The committee granted the bill a favorable report as amended and no further formal action was recorded in the meeting minutes provided.

The bill's language, the adopted amendment text and any fiscal notes will determine final implementation details and funding needs as the measure proceeds through the legislative process.