Massachusetts bill requires 24/7 school threat hotlines, active shooter training, and optional school resource officers

Original title: An Act relative to school security

Last action · June 6, 2025: Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2Sponsors: Steve Xiarhos and 11 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

Massachusetts cities and towns must establish a 24/7 special telephone exchange to report school threats, and school districts must implement active shooter training and security audits subject to . Additionally, municipalities accepting the provision must assign a to each school building during instructional hours.

Why it matters

Schools and local police departments must coordinate on regular safety audits, single-access hardening, video surveillance, and annual compliance reporting to state education and public safety offices.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

School Districts

School districts must implement active shooter training policies, conduct safety audits, and submit annual compliance reports to state agencies.

Directly affected

Cities and Towns

Municipalities must establish and publicize a 24/7 special telephone exchange for reporting school building threats.

Directly affected

Students and Staff

Students and staff are subject to regular training sessions and emergency response drills regarding active shooters on school grounds.

Directly affected

Local Police Departments

Police chiefs must coordinate with school districts on safety audits, training policies, and video surveillance connections.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are school safety plans and active shooter reports open to the public?

No, any policy or report regarding school building safety, security, and active shooter emergency response plans is exempt from public records disclosure.

What is required of every city and town regarding school threats?

Every city and town must establish a special 24/7 telephone exchange to report threats to school buildings and widely publicize the number and usage protocol.

What are schools required to do regarding active shooter response?

Subject to , school districts must implement specific active shooter training policies for students and staff, conduct regular safety audits, and consider physical security enhancements like single access points and video surveillance.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

3 actions

Jun 6, 2025Joint
Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2
Feb 27, 2025Senate
Senate concurred
Feb 27, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the committee on Education

Version history

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