A bill to allow classroom doors in Utah public schools to be locked from the inside is moving through the State Legislature.
Senate Bill 87, which was introduced by Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, has passed the Senate and moved to the House. It amends provisions of the Construction and Fire Codes Act adopted by the state regarding locks and bolt locks for certain occupancies in a lock down or during a lock down drill.
The proposed legislation is meant to address potential violence such as school shootings that have occurred around the country.
According to the advocacy group, Every Town for Gun Safety, there have been almost 300 school shootings since 2013, and the country is averaging one school shooting per week. There have been 11 such incidents so far this year in Kentucky alone.
Under the legislation, schools could install bolt locks on classroom doors, (which is currently prohibited by building and fire codes), if the application of the lock is approved by the State Fire Marshal; the unlatching of any leaf or door does not require more than two actions; the lock can be released from the opposite side of the door on which it is installed; the lock is only applied only during lock down or a lock down drill.
Rep. Christine Watkins, R-Price said the bill restores local decision making authority to local school districts and charter schools.
“I support this bill and always favor local decision making, especially in something as crucial as security locks in a school,” she said.
Carbon School District Superintendent Lance Hatch said, “We do see the value of teachers being able to physically lock the doors from the inside in the event of a lock down emergency.”
Price Police Chief Kevin Drolc said he has no objection to the proposed bill and sees it as an “added safety precaution.”
The proposed legislation does not include any state appropriations to fund the locks or installation.
Legislation to allow locks on inside of classrooms
A photographer surprises students at Helper Middle School when they returned to classes in January. Legislation moving through the Utah State Legislature seeks to allow school districts to install locks on classroom doors so they can be latched from the inside. The bill was introduced in response to a spate of school shootings. Courtesy Carbon School District