SF3717

Purpose

• Require school districts and charter schools to adopt a formal crisis management policy to address potential violent crisis situations in their buildings.

Main Provisions

• The policy must be developed cooperatively with a wide range of participants, including administrators, teachers, employees, students, parents, community members, law enforcement, emergency management officials, county attorneys, social service agencies, emergency medical responders, and other appropriate organizations.
• The policy must include:
  • At least five lockdown drills
  • At least five fire drills
  • One tornado drill
  • Drills must be conducted in a way that aligns with section 299F.30
• The policy must provide for the unique needs of students during crisis situations, specifically addressing:
  • Mobility restrictions
  • Sensory needs
  • Developmental or physical disabilities
  • Mental health needs
  • Auditory or visual limitations
• The school board or charter school may adopt the model cardiac emergency response plan provided by the commissioner under subdivision 1.

Significance and Changes from Existing Law

• Expands prior requirements by adding mandatory drill numbers (five lockdown, five fire, one tornado) and explicit cooperation with a broad list of stakeholders.
• Elevates attention to accessibility and inclusion in crisis planning for students with disabilities or special health needs.
• Creates an option to adopt a standardized cardiac emergency response plan from the commissioner, rather than mandating a separate in-house plan.

Key Terms and Phrases from the Bill (for clarity)

• crisis management policy
• school district
• charter school
• lockdown drills
• fire drills
• tornado drill
• section 299F.30
• mobility restrictions
• sensory needs
• developmental or physical disabilities
• mental health needs
• auditory limitations
• visual limitations
• cardiac emergency response plan
• commissioner
• subdivision 1

Relevant Terms crisis management policy; school district; charter school; lockdown drills; fire drills; tornado drill; mobility restrictions; sensory needs; developmental disabilities; physical disabilities; mental health needs; auditory limitations; visual limitations; cardiac emergency response plan; commissioner; subdivision 1