VA HB 2236

Title: Secured Schools Program and Fund; established.
Author: C. E. Hayes

Summary
Department of Criminal Justice Services; powers and duties; Secured Schools Program and Fund. Establishes the Secured Schools Program and Secured Schools Program Fund, established by and implemented by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (Department), as a comprehensive, prompt, and reliable first warning notification and emergency broadcast system for each PSAP in the Commonwealth to (i) allow elementary or secondary school faculty to alert the local PSAP of an imminent threat to public safety within the elementary or secondary school and (ii) alert administration at each elementary and secondary school located within such PSAP's service area in the case of an imminent threat to public safety within the proximity boundary of the elementary or secondary school, as established by school administrators and local law enforcement. The bill allows such alerts to be issued by means of (a) website announcements; (b) email notices; (c) phone, cellular phone, or text messages; (d) alert lines; (e) public address systems; (f) panic buttons; or (g) any other means of communication. The bill directs the Department to adopt regulations governing the implementation of the Secured Schools Program, in accordance with criteria provided in the bill, and establish criteria for funding the Program through disbursements from the Secured Schools Program Fund.

Status
House: Assigned Education sub: Early Childhood/Innovation