Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF2017

Introduced
1/8/24  
Introduced
1/8/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the development of a policy governing responses to a fire alarm activated on school grounds outside of a scheduled fire drill by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2191.)

Impact

The legislation amends existing educational policies to ensure that all schools develop high-quality emergency operation plans, which must include protocols for both active shooter situations and natural disasters. The bill emphasizes the importance of communication and thorough planning in emergency situations, requiring the dissemination of alerts to all individuals regularly present in school buildings, including nonemployee staff, thereby broadening the scope of emergency preparedness. This change reflects an ongoing shift toward prioritizing comprehensive safety measures in educational settings.

Summary

Senate File 2017 (SF2017) establishes a framework for managing responses to fire alarms activated on school grounds outside of scheduled drills. The bill mandates that school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools adopt specific policies outlining how students and staff should respond in cases where a fire alarm may indicate the presence of an active shooter. This requirement is intended to enhance safety precautions and emergency preparedness within school environments, responding to increased concerns regarding school shootings.

Contention

Despite its goal of enhancing safety, SF2017 may provoke discussions regarding the balance between security measures and the emotional well-being of students. Critics may argue that frequent fire alarms and associated drills could contribute to anxiety among students, particularly if the drills are perceived as ungrounded in real-world circumstances. Additionally, the effectiveness of the proposed plans may be scrutinized concerning the readiness of school personnel and resources needed to implement these emergency responses effectively.

Companion Bills

IA SF2191

Similar To A bill for an act relating to the development of a policy governing responses to a fire alarm activated on school grounds outside of a scheduled fire drill by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SF 2017.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF586

A bill for an act relating to the development of a policy governing responses to a fire alarm activated on school grounds outside of a scheduled fire drill by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and including effective date provisions.

IA SF2191

A bill for an act relating to the development of a policy governing responses to a fire alarm activated on school grounds outside of a scheduled fire drill by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SF 2017.)

IA SF2060

A bill for an act relating to school lunch and breakfast programs provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

IA SF58

A bill for an act relating to school lunch and breakfast programs provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

IA HF536

A bill for an act relating to firearm, hunting, and wildlife instruction provided to students enrolled in grades six through eight in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and including applicability provisions.

IA HSB276

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the minimum amount of instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.

IA SF100

A bill for an act relating to mental health resources for students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.

IA SSB1028

A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curricula provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades one through twelve.(See SF 175.)

IA SSB1025

A bill for an act relating to the administration of the statewide summative assessment of student progress to students of online schools by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See SF 211.)

IA SF8

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa core curriculum and to assessment and content standards for school districts and accredited nonpublic schools and including effective date provisions.

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