A proposal to cut New York’s mandatory school lockdown drills from four to two per year has again stalled in the Assembly, Spectrum News reports. While the bill has passed the Senate for three straight years, Assembly Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto said he prefers leaving such decisions to the state Education Department and local districts.
Parents pushing the change argue multiple drills cause trauma and disrupt learning without proven safety benefits. Sponsors Jo Ann Simon and Andrew Gounardes say the bill would give districts more control, though Simon admits she hasn’t had the votes since introducing it in 2022.
The Education Department issued new guidance last year to make drills age-appropriate and trauma-informed, but kept the four-drill mandate. Supporters vow to renew their push in 2026, with some lawmakers across party lines backing a reduction.
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