New law targets active shooter lockdown drills in Washington schools

By Brooklynn Hillemann, WNPA News Service

K-12 schools have more guidance on how to conduct active-shooter lockdown drills with a new bill signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee.

The bill prohibits schools from conducting drills involving life-like simulations or reenactments of active shooter scenarios that are not “trauma-informed and age and developmentally appropriate.” Additionally, students, teachers and staff will be alerted before carrying out a shooting-safety lockdown drill.

Prime sponsor of the bill, Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland, said the legislation is needed to protect staff and students from unintended side-effects of simulation-style drills.

“Active shooter drills are associated with increases in depression, anxiety and fears about death

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