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H 623

An Act relative to equipping public elementary and secondary schools with panic alarms or emergency mechanisms

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Kushmerek and 3 co-sponsors

Requires Massachusetts public schools to install silent panic alarms linked to local police (or approved emergency mechanisms) with MSBA funding.

Hearing scheduled for 05/12/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 623

Summary of H.623 (An Act relative to equipping public elementary and secondary schools with panic alarms or emergency mechanisms)

Basic information

  • Bill number: H 623
  • Title: An Act relative to equipping public elementary and secondary schools with panic alarms or emergency mechanisms
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: Hearing scheduled May 12, 2025, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, in room A-2
  • Committee action: Referred to the Committee on Education
  • Related bill: HD 1975 (replaces)
  • Official bill text reference: House Docket No. 1975; Filed January 15, 2025

Purpose and intent

The bill would require public elementary and secondary schools in Massachusetts to be equipped with panic alarms (or approved emergency mechanisms) to enhance rapid communication with local law enforcement during security emergencies. The overarching aim is to improve school-based safety and ensure immediate alerts to authorities in crisis situations such as lockdowns or active shooter events, while keeping the alarm signals silent inside the school.

Key provisions

Definition and scope

  • Panic alarm definition: A silent security system signal activated manually to indicate a life-threatening or emergency situation requiring police response.
  • Applicable to all public elementary and secondary school buildings.

Installation and operation

  • Link to authorities: Panic alarms must be directly linked to local law enforcement. If a municipality has no police department, the link may be to a designation by the Superintendent of the State Police.
  • Audibility: The alarm signal must be silent within the school building (not audible to occupants).
  • Standards: Alarms must conform to nationally recognized industry standards, including those of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
  • Licensed installation: Installation must be performed by a person licensed to engage in the alarm business under Massachusetts General Laws, chapters 147, sections 57, 58, and 59.

Alternatives to panic alarms

  • A district may implement an emergency mechanism as an alternative to a panic alarm if the mechanism is approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Construction timing

  • Districts in the process of building a school may still be required to install a panic alarm system.

Funding and fiscal provisions

  • MSBA funding: The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) shall be responsible for funding the full cost of the panic alarms required under Section 1, or any DESE-approved alternative emergency mechanisms.
  • Reimbursement for prior installations: Districts that had already installed a panic alarm or approved emergency mechanism prior to the act’s effective date may be reimbursed for those costs.

Administration and regulatory framework

  • Regulations: DESE shall promulgate rules and regulations to establish a program to implement the purposes of the act.
  • Ongoing compliance: The provisions imply a statewide standard and oversight to ensure uniform implementation across districts.

Affected parties

  • Public school districts: Required to install panic alarms or DESE-approved alternatives; eligible for MSBA funding or reimbursement for prior installations.
  • Local law enforcement: Receives direct, rapid notification from school panic alarms.
  • DESE and MSBA: Responsible for regulation, oversight, and funding implementation.
  • Contractors/alarms professionals: Installation must be performed by licensed alarm professionals.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Hearing scheduled for May 12, 2025 (1:00–5:00 PM, in A-2).
  • Referred to the Education Committee on February 27, 2025.
  • The bill proposes an amendment to Chapter 71 by adding Section 98, establishing a new framework for panic alarms and emergency mechanisms.
  • Effective date not stated in the text provided; implementation would follow after passage and regulatory rulemaking.

This summary distills the bill’s core objectives, core requirements, funding structure, and who is affected, helping readers quickly understand the scope and potential impact of H.623.

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

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