HB 592

Public schools; wearable panic alarm systems; grant program. Permits any school board to provide any school board employee in a public elementary and secondary school building in the local school division with a wearable panic alarm system, defined in the bill as a security system that is capable of being worn on the body of the user and by which the user manually activates a device that sends (i) a signal to the local 9-1-1 public safety answering point that indicates a school security emergency that requires immediate response and assistance from such public safety answering point and (ii) a multisensory schoolwide school security emergency notification, when appropriate. The bill requires, with such funds as may be provided for such purpose pursuant to the general appropriation act, the Department of Education to establish and administer a grant program whereby school divisions with demonstrated need apply for a grant on a competitive basis to cover or defer the cost of providing such a system.