HB385 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Proncey Robertson
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Education, school safety plans, redesignate code red as school lockdown, Secs. 16-1-44, 36-19-10 am'd.
Summary: HB385 updates Alabama school safety planning by renaming and expanding plans to a school emergency operations plan with a four-tier alert system and mandatory lockdown drills.
What This Bill Does
If passed, the bill redesignates comprehensive school safety plans as school emergency operations plans and replaces code red drills with school lockdown safety plans and drills. It requires a four-tier alert system with defined actions, updates the plan with input from safety officials, and requires regular drills and staff training, including annual reviews and access for law enforcement. It also ties monthly emergency drill expectations to the updated framework and clarifies door safety and disciplinary responsibilities for principals.

Who It Affects
Students and school staff (teachers, administrators) in public K-12 schools, who must follow the four-tier alert levels, participate in drills, and receive training.
Local boards of education and emergency responders (law enforcement and fire departments), who must develop/update the plans, grant access to plans, coordinate drills, and respond to emergencies.

Key Provisions
Rename and restructure: comprehensive safety plans become 'school emergency operations plans'; 'code red' becomes 'school lockdown safety plans' and associated drills.
Four-tier alert system: introduces Heightened Awareness, Secure Your Area of Responsibility, Secure Perimeter, and Lockdown, each with specific actions for school personnel.
Plan contents and updates: plans must include threat protocols (lockdown, fire, severe weather), notification and response procedures, annual reviews, and coordination with law enforcement; plans updated for major building changes and reviewed annually in consultation with staff.
Drills and training: principals must train students on emergency procedures, conduct code red lockdown drills within the first six weeks of fall and spring semesters, and provide annual staff training; access to the plan for law enforcement and safety officials is required.
Disciplinary and safety provisions: principals can face disciplinary action for noncompliance; doors may be locked from the outside but must allow immediate exit; monthly emergency drills (including code red lockdown) are mandated by the Fire Marshal.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Schools