Rutgers Law

New Jersey Statutes, Title: 18A, EDUCATION

    Chapter 41: Fire, school security drills.

      Section: 18A:41-7a: School security drills, procedure.

          1. a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a school district shall ensure that a school security drill that occurs when students are present:

(1) includes clear, developmentally and age-appropriate messaging to students and staff at the conclusion of the drill that the event is a drill and that no current danger exists;

(2) does not expose students to content or imaging that is not developmentally or age-appropriate;

(3) is paired with trauma-informed approaches to address any student inquiries or concerns which may arise as a result of a school security drill;

(4) does not include the use of fake blood, real or prop firearms, or the simulations of gun shots, explosions, or other sounds or visuals that may induce panic or a traumatic response from a student or school district employee;

(5) does not require a student to role play as a victim, but may include first aid training in which students participate;

(6) is accessible to students with disabilities and mental health conditions, and provides all necessary accommodations for these students.

b. A school district shall provide written notification to the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the district following completion of a school security drill, which notice shall be provided to the parent or guardian by no later than the end of the school day on which the school security drill is conducted.

c. A school district may permit emergency personnel access to the buildings and grounds of its schools for school security drills that are scheduled outside of school hours and during such times as students are not present.

d. A school district shall review and update its school security drill procedures using a process that coincides with the review of the school safety and security plan developed pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:16-5.1 and collects input from emergency personnel, parents and guardians of students enrolled in the district, teachers and staff employed in the district, mental health professionals, and student government representatives from multiple grade levels.

e. A school district shall annually track data on such measures and information as are required by the Commissioner of Education, and shall report the data to the commissioner.

L. 2021, c.365.

This section added to the Rutgers Database: 2022-03-18 13:18:27.

Older versions of 18a:41-7a (if available):

Court decisions that cite this statute: CLICK HERE.