Homeland Security Committee, Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee, Education and Workforce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The Measures for Safer School Districts Act (MSD Act) seeks to bolster safety in elementary and secondary schools by establishing new requirements for emergency preparedness and physical security. As a condition of receiving federal funds, local educational agencies would be required to develop and implement comprehensive emergency response procedures for all students, faculty, and staff. These procedures must ensure timely parental notification of covered threats and emergencies occurring on school grounds, during transportation, or at school-sponsored activities. The emergency procedures must be developed in consultation with public safety agencies, incorporate common alarm system responses, and identify primary emergency response agencies and school personnel responsible for contacting them. Covered threats include weapons possession with intent to harm, active shooter situations, bomb threats, murder, sex offenses, trespassing, fires, natural weather emergencies, natural disasters, and exposure to harmful substances. This part of the bill aims to standardize and improve how schools respond to and communicate during critical incidents. Additionally, the bill addresses the physical security of school buildings by focusing on doors. Within 90 days of enactment, the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) must convene a rulemaking advisory committee to develop findings and recommendations for requiring the installation or modification of interior and exterior doors in federally funded schools. This committee will include diverse stakeholders such as law enforcement, school safety personnel, educators, and experts in ballistic shielding and school construction. The committee will consider requirements for reinforced doors, performance standards, development, testing, installation, and how these doors can protect against threats without hindering emergency evacuation or law enforcement access. Following the committee's report to Congress, CISA is mandated to issue a final rule within six months to implement these door reinforcement requirements. To support these efforts, an additional $100 million is authorized annually for ten fiscal years through the State Homeland Security Grant Program, specifically for carrying out the door security enhancements.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Advisory bodiesCongressional oversightEducational facilities and institutionsElementary and secondary educationEmergency communications systemsSchool administration
MSD Act
USA119th CongressHR-1335| House
| Updated: 2/13/2025
The Measures for Safer School Districts Act (MSD Act) seeks to bolster safety in elementary and secondary schools by establishing new requirements for emergency preparedness and physical security. As a condition of receiving federal funds, local educational agencies would be required to develop and implement comprehensive emergency response procedures for all students, faculty, and staff. These procedures must ensure timely parental notification of covered threats and emergencies occurring on school grounds, during transportation, or at school-sponsored activities. The emergency procedures must be developed in consultation with public safety agencies, incorporate common alarm system responses, and identify primary emergency response agencies and school personnel responsible for contacting them. Covered threats include weapons possession with intent to harm, active shooter situations, bomb threats, murder, sex offenses, trespassing, fires, natural weather emergencies, natural disasters, and exposure to harmful substances. This part of the bill aims to standardize and improve how schools respond to and communicate during critical incidents. Additionally, the bill addresses the physical security of school buildings by focusing on doors. Within 90 days of enactment, the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) must convene a rulemaking advisory committee to develop findings and recommendations for requiring the installation or modification of interior and exterior doors in federally funded schools. This committee will include diverse stakeholders such as law enforcement, school safety personnel, educators, and experts in ballistic shielding and school construction. The committee will consider requirements for reinforced doors, performance standards, development, testing, installation, and how these doors can protect against threats without hindering emergency evacuation or law enforcement access. Following the committee's report to Congress, CISA is mandated to issue a final rule within six months to implement these door reinforcement requirements. To support these efforts, an additional $100 million is authorized annually for ten fiscal years through the State Homeland Security Grant Program, specifically for carrying out the door security enhancements.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.