'Traumatizing' School Safety Drills Banned In New NJ Legislation

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation on Monday that requires NJ schools to enact security drills that are "age-appropriate" to prevent unnecessary traumatization of schoolchildren.

This legislation prohibits the use of fake blood, real or prop firearms or the simulations of gun shots or explosions in school security drills. These new guidelines are meant to strike a balance between ensuring that students are informed and ready for threats that schools face currently, while also being sensitive to their mental health needs.

“Unfortunately, school security drills are a reality of the environment that our students are living in,” Gov. Murphy said.

“These necessary exercises are proven to save lives but may also traumatize young children if not conducted in an appropriate manner. This legislation will ensure that school security drills provide students with the information and preparedness that they need to stay safe in emergency situations, while also taking steps to prevent drills from having a harmful impact on the mental health of our schoolchildren.”

Brady Board Chair Kevin Quinn said New Jersey is now the first state in the nation to begin addressing the trauma inflicted on children by active shooter drills.

Acting Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen McMillan said the new legislation will prevent safety drills from causing undo confusion or alarm for students.

“As threats continue to evolve, so does the need for our tactics," Acting Director of the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Laurie Doran said.

Primary sponsors of this legislation also include Assembly members Pamela Lampitt, Louis Greenwald, and Ralph Caputo, and Senators Loretta Weinberg, and Shirley Turner.

Lampitt explained that studies show that active shooter drills can cause increases in depression, stress, anxiety and physiological health problems.

“Security drills do not have to mimic many students’ biggest fear in order to be effective,” Greenwald added. “We can make sure our students know what to do during real security events by providing them with proper resources and using less-intense security drills instead of relying on damaging scare tactics.”

The new legislation requires the following guidance and procedures for school districts conducting security drills when students are present:

• Drills will include clear, developmentally and age-appropriate messaging to students and staff at the conclusion of the drill that the event is a drill and no current danger exists;
• Drills cannot include the use of fake blood, real or prop firearms, or the simulations of gun shots, explosions, or other sounds or visuals that may induce panic or a traumatic response from a student or school district employee;
• Drills must be accessible to students with disabilities and mental health conditions, and provides all necessary accommodations for these students;
• School districts shall provide written notification to the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the district following completion of a school security drill, which notice shall be provided to the parent or guardian by no later than the end of the school day on which the school security drill is conducted;
• School districts may permit emergency personnel access to the buildings and grounds of its schools for school security drills that are scheduled outside of school hours and during such times as students are not present;
• District shall review and update their school security drill procedures using a process that coincides with the review of the school safety and security plan developed pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:16-5.1 and collects input from emergency personnel, parents and guardians of students enrolled in the district, teachers and staff employed in the district, mental health professionals, and student government representatives from multiple grade levels;
• School districts will annually track data on such measures and information as are required by the Commissioner of Education, and shall report the data to the commissioner.