SF637

The legislative bill, SF No 637, also known as the Safe Haven In Every Local District (SHIELD) Act, aims to enhance safety in schools across Minnesota. It mandates that every school district include specific safety measures within their long-term facilities maintenance plans. These measures should focus on both physical modifications to improve safety at school sites and adherence to health, safety, and environmental regulations, including management of indoor air quality and lead hazard remediation.

The bill also requires the addition of a gender-neutral, single-user restroom in each school. Schools must update their safety and facilities plans annually, get approval from the commissioner by July 31 each year, and specify their funding strategy, whether through bonds or local levies.

Furthermore, for districts choosing to finance their plans through bonds, they must show that the yearly debt service costs won’t exceed their projected long-term facilities revenue for that year. The bill includes provisions for increased safe schools funding and the creation of new school security system grants. Lastly, it involves the necessary appropriation of money to support these initiatives.