Summary — A-5720 (1R): Key Box Installation at Public School Buildings
Status
- Introduced: February 20, 2025
- Assembly Education Committee: Reported with amendments (June 16, 2025) and referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
- Sponsor: Asm. Michaelle C. Solages
- Related/companion bills: S3153, S4440 (and prior-session A8160, S8208)
Purpose
- Require exterior key boxes at public school buildings to allow emergency responders prompt access during incidents, while providing exemptions for equivalent alternative access plans and funding support to cover costs.
Effective date
- Act takes effect immediately upon enactment. Installation deadline: by June 30 of the 2026–2027 school year.
Key provisions
- Installation requirement: Each school building operated by a school district, charter school, or renaissance school project must have at least one exterior key box installed by the June 30, 2026–2027 deadline.
- Technical standard: Key boxes must meet or exceed Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037 or another nationally recognized industry standard for antitheft alarms/devices at time of installation.
- Location and contents:
- Location determined by the local board in collaboration with emergency responders (law enforcement and fire personnel); emergency medical services (EMS) access may be granted if the board deems it appropriate.
- Wherever possible, emergency responders should use shared key boxes for a building.
- Each key box must contain keys and other access-control devices necessary to access every building and room on the school grounds.
- Exemptions: A local board may apply to the Commissioner of Education for an exemption. The Commissioner may approve if the board demonstrates alternative plans/procedures that are equivalent to or exceed the bill’s key box requirements.
- Funding/reimbursement:
- State appropriation of $2,500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Education to implement the act.
- The State bears costs for installation/replacement necessary for compliance.
- Districts or schools that install key boxes after the effective date may apply to the Commissioner for reimbursement.
Notable committee amendments
- Broadened acceptable standards beyond UL 1037 to include other national industry standards.
- Removed prior requirement to include printed critical-incident mapping data in key boxes.
- Clarified EMS access is permissive (board decision), and emphasized use of shared key boxes where possible.
- Created exemption/application process administered by the Commissioner.
- Stated costs are borne by the State and provided for reimbursement for post-enactment installations.
Who is affected
- Primary: Boards of education (school districts), boards of trustees for charter schools and renaissance school projects.
- Secondary: Law enforcement, fire departments, and potentially EMS — emergency planners and local responders who will coordinate box locations and shared use.
- Fiscal: State budget ($2.5M appropriation) and school entities seeking reimbursement.
Potential impacts
- Expected to improve emergency access and response times at school facilities.
- Provides state-funded support but is subject to the $2.5M appropriation limit; entities may seek reimbursement for already-incurred costs.
- Allows flexibility through exemptions where alternative security/access systems meet or exceed the bill’s standards.
