Bill would require schools to notify parents before conducting active-shooter drills

Bill would require schools to notify parents before conducting active-shooter drills

February 4th, 2023 by WCBC Radio

WBAL reports that changes may be coming to active-shooter drills at Maryland schools. State law currently requires the drills, but it doesn't mandate that school systems notify parents, students or school staff ahead of time.

Montgomery County Delegate Jared Solomon, D-District 18, considers the legislation he's sponsoring, House Bill 515, a reasonable way to keep youth safe without further creating anxiety or harming their mental health.

"You see something on social media … from a student, saying, 'There's a shooter in the building,' when it just may be a drill. Or, having a child come home and getting off the bus, saying, 'We pretended that we all got shot today,'" Solomon said.

Solomon introduced legislation that mandates the state send rules on safe gun storage to families. It also would prohibit live simulations of gunfire and blood because it traumatizes participants, Solomon said.