Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara and Assemblyman Nader Sayegh announced that they are sponsoring legislation to direct the state Department of Education commissioner to establish minimum safety standards and ‘best practices’ for the security and safety of school grounds (A.3728). The standards would be developed in consultation with the superintendent of the New York State Police and the commissioner of the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

“With the increase in mass shootings and other violent crimes across our nation, being prepared must be a priority,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “The most recent school shooting in Nashville that took place just a few days ago, has again raised concerns about the security of our schools,” Santabarbara said. “As a parent, especially as a father of a special needs child, these violent incidents are incredibly concerning. I’m cosponsoring this legislation to ensure that all school buildings and grounds are as safe as possible. Ensuring that minimum safety standards are in place is a commonsense step that can help save lives.”

“We have seen the importance of safeguarding our schools recently this week in the aftermath of the tragic school shooting that left 6 people dead, 3 of whom were children,” said Assemblyman Nader Sayegh. “And indeed, just this week, reports emerged across our State as half a dozen schools in Albany and Rensselaer Counties went into lockdown over reports of a supposed active shooter, also schools in Rome, Utica, Syracuse and Rochester also when into lockdown. Thankfully, every one of those calls were false and there was not harm caused. However, these false alarms highlighted the necessity for all our schools to have a School Security and Safety Standard allowing educators and law enforcement officials to protect our students, staff, parents, and schools should an incident arise; therefore, avoiding potential tragedies.”