Mississippi House Bill HB667

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Active shooter training; require school district employees to attend every three years.

Impact

The bill mandates that the State Department of Education will oversee the development and selection of the CRASE training content. Furthermore, school districts are required to report the completion of this training to the State Department of Education. This not only creates a standard protocol for active shooter preparedness but also emphasizes the importance of ongoing education and training in fostering a safer school environment. The bill seeks to ensure that school employees—from cafeteria workers to administrators—are equipped with the necessary skills to respond effectively in an emergency.

Summary

House Bill 667 aims to enhance school safety protocols in Mississippi by requiring local school districts to conduct refresher training on Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) for all employees every three years. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address safety concerns within educational environments. In addition to the established refresher training, all newly hired employees must complete the CRASE training within 30 days of employment, ensuring that all staff is adequately prepared to handle potential active shooter situations.

Contention

While many support the bill as a critical step in improving school safety, there may be concerns regarding the funding and resources required to implement such training consistently across districts. The requirement for all employees, regardless of their role in school safety, to participate in this training could lead to resource constraints, particularly in smaller districts. Legislative discussions may also address how the effectiveness of such training will be evaluated and how school districts can implement these requirements without overwhelming existing school safety plans.