IL HB2400

Schools must conduct minimum 3 fire evacuation drills annually, with one requiring local fire department participation; schools and fire departments must coordinate scheduling with proposed October dates, and if no mutual agreement is reached, the fire department participation requirement is waived.

Schools must conduct minimum one bus evacuation drill annually with instruction in safe bus riding practices; private schools without bus transportation may be exempt with written assurance to the State Board of Education by October 15.

Schools must conduct minimum one law enforcement lockdown drill annually within 90 days of school year start addressing active threats or active shooters; drills must be announced in advance, age-appropriate, trauma-informed, include school-based mental health professionals, and cannot include simulations mimicking actual shooting incidents.

Parents and guardians must receive advance notification of lockdown drills involving students and may exempt their children from participation; schools must provide alternative safety education to non-participating students through less sensorial training methods.

School districts must conduct annual reviews of emergency and crisis response plans with minimum 30 days' notice to principals, first responders, and education organizations; reviews must result in a one-page report summarizing recommended changes and certifying effective review of safety plans.