SB98 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Public K-12 school security; School Security Program, established to require school security inspections and grading; School Security and Fire Safety Fund, established to provide grants; School Mapping Data Program, established to provide criteria for school maps; Department of Education and ALEA, authorized to adopt rules

Summary

SB98 creates a School Security Act to require security inspections for K-12 facilities, grade districts on compliance, fund improvements, and map schools for emergency response.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the School Security Program in the Department of Education to conduct periodic inspections of public K-12 facilities and grade local boards on security criteria. It creates the School Security and Fire Safety Fund to grant money to districts to meet security criteria and fire safety recommendations. It establishes the School Mapping Data Program in ALEA to produce accurate, shareable school maps and floor plans for use by public safety agencies. It requires each district to designate a district safety coordinator, provide training, conduct drills, and hold regular meetings with local public safety officials to review plans and data.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education and public K-12 schools will be inspected at least every five years, graded for security compliance, and eligible for grants to improve facilities and meet safety standards; districts must designate district safety coordinators, implement emergency operation plans, and share mapping data with agencies.
• Public safety and law enforcement agencies (including ALEA and local police/fire and emergency management) will receive and use school mapping data and related security information to respond to emergencies, collaborate on policies, and integrate data with their software platforms.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the School Security Program within the Department of Education with criteria for inspections and a rubric for evaluating school facilities.
• Inspections occur at least once every five years, conducted by certified school security inspectors who provide a rubric rating (green, yellow, or red) and improvement recommendations.
• Creates the School Security and Fire Safety Fund to grant local boards funds to improve security compliance and fire safety as recommended by the State Fire Marshal, with prioritization based on rubric ratings and facility needs assessments.
• Establishes the School Mapping Data Program within ALEA to produce accurate, validated maps and floor plans for each school, including site labeling and hazard locations, and to share data with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Requires each local board to designate a district safety coordinator with specific training and duties, including annual safety trainings, drills, and coordinating meetings with local officials and school administrators.
• Requires rules by the State Board of Education and ALEA to implement and administer the School Security Program and the School Mapping Data Program, and sets data sharing policies among agencies.
• Confidentiality: school rubric ratings and mapping data are confidential and not public records; the act does not create a private right of action against boards or officials.
• Effective date: October 1, 2024.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education