OH HB544

State Board of Education must adopt rules within 90 days prescribing safety standards for new public and nonpublic school facility construction in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code.

Safety standards must include design provisions for student and staff safety including surveillance video, entryway metal detectors, classroom-specific entrance/exit routes, communication systems between classrooms and administrative offices, real-time notification devices (panic buttons), and threat containment barriers.

New schools must include at least two of the listed safety enhancements, with standards expressly permitting schools to include more than two enhancements.

Ohio Facilities Construction Commission must amend its construction and design standards within 180 days to comply with the State Board's adopted safety standards for all new classroom facility approvals.

Commission must review and amend existing standards for exit locations and numbers, lead safety in pre-1978 facilities serving children under six, and restroom locations with focus on advancing student and staff safety and health.