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Committee releases bill funding key boxes for school emergency access, amid concerns over mapping and exemptions
Summary
Senate Bill 4440, which would require exterior key boxes at public school buildings and provides a $2.5 million appropriation, was released after testimony from manufacturers, principals and school boards. Witnesses supported the measure but sought exemptions for districts with equivalent systems and opposed mandating paper maps inside boxes.
Senate Education Committee members on June 5 advanced Senate Bill 4440, which would require exterior key boxes at public school buildings and includes a $2.5 million appropriation to support implementation.
Neil Zipser, industry affairs manager for the Knox Company, told the committee that key boxes allow first responders to gain predictable access to school buildings and described the UL 1037 standard (an anti‑theft/anti‑break‑in test) as a useful minimum for box security. Zipser and other witnesses said law enforcement boxes are used to store master keys, access cards and other materials to speed emergency responses.
Debbie Bradley of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and Jonathan Puschman of the New Jersey School Boards Association said the funding and intent are welcome but urged several changes: allow districts with effective alternative access systems to seek exemptions, remove the bill’s requirement to place paper critical‑incident mapping data inside boxes (advocates cited safety and space concerns), and minimize the number of boxes through collaboration with emergency responders.
Senator McKnight said she will work with stakeholders on amendments. The committee moved the bill, which passed the committee roll call and was released for further action.
Next steps: SB4440 will be available for amendment drafting and scheduling for later legislative consideration.
