Experts and Industry Urge Passage of Bill Requiring School Key Boxes for Faster Emergency Access

The Senate Education Committee heard proponent testimony supporting Senate Bill 290, which would require exterior secure key boxes on public, charter and nonpublic school buildings to allow emergency personnel quicker entry and reduce forced entry and property damage.

Dr. Kevin Eberly, a safety and leadership consultant and former police officer and principal, testified that key boxes can prevent delays and unnecessary structural damage during emergency responses and that the devices have been used by fire departments for decades. "A key box solution would give emergency personnel a quicker way to enter the buildings without placing them in dangerous situations," Eberly said.

Neil Zipzer, Industry Affairs Manager for Knox, an industry vendor, described operational practices and said the U.S. Department of Justice recommended key boxes after the Uvalde shooting. He said the boxes typically include master keys, access cards and building layouts and that many commercial and public buildings already use similar systems. Zipzer noted that multiple vendors provide boxes meeting UL1037 (noted in the bill) and that districts and law enforcement typically coordinate placement and access protocols.

Senators asked whether box locations or related building layouts would be public record and whether the boxes could be compromised; witnesses said those decisions are generally left to school districts and law enforcement partners and noted standards and operational practices that limit tampering.

The committee concluded the second hearing on SB 290 with no immediate vote.