Senate Bill 2578

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS FROM TELLING STUDENTS, TEACHERS OR STAFF THAT AN ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL IS REAL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-11-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-11-5. (1) It shall be the duty of the principals and teachers in all public school buildings to instruct the pupils in the methods of fire drills and to practice fire drills until all the pupils in the school are familiar with the methods of escape. Such fire drills shall be conducted often enough to keep such pupils well drilled. It shall be the further duty of such principals and teachers to instruct the pupils in all programs of emergency management as may be designated by the State Department of Education.

(2) (a) It shall be the further duty of such principals and teachers to develop and conduct an active shooter drill within the first sixty (60) days of each new school semester for students, teachers and staff.

(b) Principals and teachers shall not tell students, teachers or staff of the school that an active shooter drill is real at any point before, during or after an active shooter drill.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.