N.J. Bill Seeks to Add Emergency Lights, Panic Alarms at Public School
If approved, the bill would require all New Jersey public schools to install emergency lights on a building’s exterior and silent alarms that have a direct link to local police.
Months after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pocket-vetoed a bill that would require public schools to install emergency lights and panic alarms in all public schools, the state Senate Budget Committee has passed similar legislation.
NEWARK, N.J. – The New Jersey Senate Budget Committee has passed a bill requiring emergency lights in panic alarms in public schools, just months after Governor Christie dismissed a similar bill.
The legislation comes in response to a string of school shootings in recent years. If approved, the bill would require public schools to install emergency lights on a building’s exterior to make the school’s location clear to emergency responders.
The bill also calls for the installation of “silent” alarms, which would not be heard within the school building, but would have a direct link to local police, The Record reports.
Both technologies would be reserved for active shooter-type situations.
Legislators first introduced the bill in January 2013, following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. A version of the bill passed the Legislature this past January; however, it was pocket-vetoed by the governor.
Governor Christie did not explain why he did not sign it.
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