Bolstering Security in Oklahoma

May 1, 2013
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has signed four bills into law to improve security and in the state’s schools.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has signed four bills into law to improve security and in the state’s schools.

“The bills signed into law today will ensure that schools are well prepared for emergencies of all kinds,” the governor said in a news release. “They’ll also help to provide more training and better coordination between law enforcement and education professionals. These measures could help to save lives.”

The new laws:

•SB 256 requires districts to conduct lockdown drills in addition to fire, intruder, and tornado emergency drills.

•SB 257 directs the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security to designate a division within the agency as the Oklahoma School Security Institute. The Institute would act as a hub of resources related to school security and risk assessments to campuses.

•SB 258 creates an annual deadline of Nov. 1 for higher-education institutions to provide reports to emergency responders and agencies with details of updated plans for protecting students, faculty and visitors from disasters and emergencies.

•SB 259 requires school authorities to immediately report to law enforcement if a firearm is discovered on a student that is not a minor or an adult that isn’t authorized to possess a firearm on school property. Also, the bill states that the weapon in question is to be handed over to law enforcement.

Sponsored Recommendations

How to design flexible learning spaces that teachers love and use

Unlock the potential of flexible learning spaces with expert guidance from school districts and educational furniture providers. Discover how to seamlessly integrate adaptive ...

Blurring the Lines in Education Design: K–12 to Higher Ed to Corporate America

Discover the seamless integration of educational and corporate design principles, shaping tomorrow's leaders from kindergarten to boardroom. Explore innovative classroom layouts...

Room to Learn: Furniture Solutions for Education

Preparing students for the future. Utilizing our experience in the education market, we offer a dynamic selection of products that pair technology with furniture to help stimulate...

Transforming Education: A Case Study in Progressive Classroom Design

Discover how Workspace Interiors and the Baldwin School District reshaped learning environments in Long Island, New York, creating pedagogically responsive spaces that foster ...