NJ S2529

School districts must provide all school security personnel with two-way radios capable of communicating directly with emergency responders on a dedicated channel separate from regular police frequencies.

Districts must develop procedures to notify parents and other appropriate persons of emergencies through multiple platforms including telephone calls, text messages, and mass email.

Emergency communication systems, including 9-1-1 calls and radio signals within schools, must be tested for functionality at least monthly.

The Commissioner of Education must develop strategies to encourage districts to update safety plans with clear designation of who contacts emergency responders and use of plain language during emergencies.

The Commissioner must also review new technologies for school emergencies, including direct camera feeds to police patrol cars, panic buttons connected to local police, and dedicated emergency radio frequencies.