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H 710

An Act establishing mandatory school emergency response drills in the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Priscila Sousa

Massachusetts schools must establish police-coordinated critical incident protocols and conduct at least 2 drills and 1 safety lesson each year, with early-year timing.

Hearing scheduled for 07/21/2025 from 11:00 AM-05:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
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Bill Summary · H 710

Summary of Bill H.710: An Act establishing mandatory school emergency response drills in the Commonwealth

Overview

H.710 seeks to mandate K–12 emergency preparedness activities across Massachusetts public and private elementary and secondary schools (colleges and universities are excluded). The bill would insert new Section 38S into Chapter 71 of the General Laws. It requires schools to establish critical incident response protocols in consultation with local police and to conduct regular drills and safety lessons focused on active shooter scenarios and other critical incidents.

Key Provisions

  • Definitions and scope
    • “School” means all public or private elementary and secondary schools in Massachusetts (excludes colleges/universities).
  • Protocols (b)
    • Each school principal/head administrator, in consultation with the local police department, must establish critical incident response protocols, including for active shooters and other critical incidents, to cover implemented moments such as lunch, assemblies, class switching, and fire alarm activations.
  • Drills and safety lessons (c)
    • Every school must conduct at least 2 emergency response drills and 1 safety lesson per school year, during the regular school day.
  • Timing of safety lesson (d)
    • The safety lesson must occur within the first month of the school year.
  • Timing of drills (e)
    • At least one emergency response drill must occur within the first month of the school year.
  • Summer school provisions (f)
    • If a school runs summer school, it must conduct at least 1 emergency response drill and 1 safety lesson during the summer session, in addition to the regular-year requirements.

Scope and Impact

  • Who is affected: All public and private elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth, along with school administrators and local police departments, and by extension, students and staff.
  • Operational impact: Schools would need to develop formal incident response protocols in collaboration with local police, schedule multiple drills and safety lessons, and ensure drills occur early in the academic year. Summer programs would also be affected if offered.
  • Cost considerations: Not specified in the text, but potential fiscal and staffing implications include training, drill coordination, and time allocation within the school day.

Legislative and Procedural Status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • House docket: No. 710 (House), filed January 13, 2025
  • Hearing: Scheduled for July 21, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
  • Actions to date: Referred to the Committee on Education; Senate concurred on February 27, 2025
  • Related measures: HD 843 (replaces)

Next Steps

If enacted, school districts would implement the protocols and drill schedules as mandated, with ongoing compliance monitoring through the Education Department and local authorities. The hearing will assess specifics and potential refinements to the proposed requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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