Two Democratic lawmakers in the New York state Assembly have proposed legislation that would establish minimum safety standards and best practices for securing school buildings.
The move follows a shooting at a school in Nashville that left six people dead, including the shooter. The proposal would require the State Education Department to create the standards, with input and guidance from the State Police superintendent and the commissioner of the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
In addition to the proposed legislation, lawmakers have also called for schools and daycare facilities to develop evacuation plans for children with disabilities in the event of a lockdown or emergency.
Heightened concerns over school safety have also been compounded in New York, where multiple schools recently received false threats of violence. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who sponsored the proposed legislation, said that ensuring minimum safety standards were in place was a “commonsense step that can help save lives.”
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