Senate Bill 353 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Public K-12 schools; mobile emergency rapid response systems required, State Superintendent of Education required to approve vendors, funding sources provided for

Summary

SB353 would require Alabama public K-12 schools to equip designated employees with mobile emergency rapid response systems, with vendor approval, training, and funding provisions.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would require local boards and charter school governing bodies to designate which employees will wear or carry mobile emergency rapid response systems by October 1, 2030, and to provide training on how to use them. The systems must connect immediately to the local public safety answering point and share location information inside buildings and on school grounds when activated. The State Superintendent of Education would develop a list of approved vendors, and schools could use specified funding sources to purchase and implement the systems.

Who It Affects

• Designated employees (e.g., teachers, administrators, custodial and maintenance staff, cafeteria staff, nurses, counselors, coaches, bus drivers) who have access to students and will use the devices
• Local boards of education and charter school governing bodies that must designate and equip employees and provide training
• State Department of Education and local public safety answering points involved in device activation and response
• Vendors that would be approved to supply mobile emergency rapid response systems
• Funding programs (e.g., K-12 Capital Grant Program, Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund, School Security and Fire Safety Fund) that may be used to purchase and implement the systems
• Students who would benefit from faster and more precise emergency response

Key Provisions

• Define mobile emergency rapid response system (MERRS) as a wearable or personally carried device that connects to the public safety answering point and provides location info for rooms, floors, and outdoor areas
• By Oct 1, 2030, each governing body must designate which employees will be equipped and must equip those employees with MERRS; policy must specify when the device is worn or in possession
• State Superintendent of Education to develop a list of approved MERRS vendors
• Governing bodies may use specified funding sources (K-12 Capital Grant, Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund, School Security and Fire Safety Fund, or other available funds) to purchase and use MERRS
• Governing bodies must provide regular training to all designated employees on MERRS use
• Effective date: October 1, 2026 (act becomes law)

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 10, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education