TRENTON – The Senate Education Committee advanced a bill sponsored by Senator Angela McKnight that would require each school building to have an exterior key box to ensure that first responders would have key access to the building during an emergency.

“Safety and emergency protocols are paramount in New Jersey schools, which is why we need first responders to access school buildings as quickly as possible during an emergency,” said Senator McKnight (D-Hudson). “Any delay during an emergency can put our children, teachers, and staff in further danger. Having a secure and accessible location to store keys for first responders will help expedite an effective and timely emergency response and prevent tragedy.”

The bill, S-4440, would require schools to have at least one first responder-designated secure exterior key box to advance a prompt emergency response to a school crisis.

During emergencies, a lack of key access to school buildings can hinder or prevent an effective emergency response to crises such as lockdowns or active shooter threats. An exterior key box would facilitate a timely response by allowing first responders immediate access to school buildings, eliminating the need for first responders to spend time locating a school staff member. This would significantly decrease overall response time and facilitate an effective emergency operation, contributing to existing crisis protocols and overall school safety in New Jersey.