NEWTOWN, Conn. – The Kansas State Legislature unanimously passed the Students Safe at School Act (HB2534), demonstrating bipartisan support to protect children from violence transcends political division. The bill is now ready for Governor Laura Kelly’s signature.
This critical legislation sets a statewide standard for active shooter drills, with a focus on what students need to be safe without causing unnecessary stress or fear. It makes the difference between drills and simulations, limits the use of high-intensity scenarios, and requires trauma-informed, age-appropriate approaches, particularly for K-5 students. It also builds transparency for families, as well as post-drill debriefs to support students afterward.
In response, Aurora Vasquez, vice president of policy and partnerships at Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund issued the following statement:
“We applaud the proactive approach that Kansas is taking by approving this holistic and evidence-based framework. By establishing trauma-informed standards for active shooter drills, the state is ensuring that students are prepared without being exposed to unnecessary fear or harm. The emphasis on age-appropriate practices, parental transparency, and post-drill support marks an important shift toward safer, more responsible protocols.
“Together, all these measures recognize that school safety must be comprehensive, taking into consideration both the physical safety and mental well-being of students.”
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The Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children by promoting community safety, mental health support, and violence prevention education. Through collaborative partnerships and grassroots engagement, the nonpartisan organization works to support safety initiatives at the federal and state levels. It is part of Sandy Hook Promise, founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
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Claudia Montecinos | [email protected] | 203-304-9780 Ext. 336