SPONSOR:

Rep. Jaques & Rep. Miro & Sen. Poore

Reps. Dukes, Mitchell; Sen. Walsh

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 49

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 14 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

                Section 1.  Amend Chapter 23, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strikethrough and insertions as shown by underlining as follows:

                 § 2306. Safety features in new school construction or renovations.

Whenever a new school building is constructed or a major renovation undertaken (a major renovation is one undertaken pursuant to a Major Capital Improvement Program), the construction or renovation must include at a minimum the following:

(1) Bulletproof glass in all vestibules, lobby, and office areas, as well as any windows or doors opening from a classroom into the interior of the building;

(2) Classroom doors which can be locked from both sides with a key; and

(3) Installation of an intruder alert system compatible with the fire alarm system and capable of being activated from the office.  

Section 2. Amend § 6307A, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strikethrough and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 6307A. Facilities Management.

(b) The Facilities Management Section shall review all building design, construction, and operations for state agencies, including school districts. The purpose of this review shall be to:

(5) Make such studies and provide such information as shall cause the selection of the best cost/performance components that will satisfy a particular function; and

(6) Review and make recommendations regarding the operation, maintenance and efficiency of the physical plant of state facilities ; . and

(7) Ensure a review by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to verify compliance with school security and Crime Prevention through Enviornmental Design (CPTED) contemporary practices for all new construction of public schools as well as the requirements of §2306 of Title 14.

SYNOPSIS

This bill requires all new school construction or major renovation to include the following features: an intruder alarm, bulletproof glass in entrance areas and interior doors and windows, and doors lockable with keys on both sides. Further, the bill would require all new school construction plans to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget’s Facilities Management Section for compliance with these requirements as well as with Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles.