New York Assembly Bill A00902

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Authorizes the provision of site mapping for emergency response data with school safety plans; provides for the funding of such mapping data.

Summary

This bill amends the Education Law to require that school building-level emergency response plans include “site mapping for emergency response” in a digital or electronic format. The mapping must be compatible with the software platforms used by local, state, county, and federal law enforcement and emergency responders, and also compatible with school security software, without requiring either side to buy additional software or use third-party integrations. The maps must be printable, oriented to true north, overlaid with gridded x/y coordinates, and verified through an initial and annual walkthrough of school buildings and grounds. The bill also directs school districts to make every effort to include detailed, site-specific information such as current floor plans, building access points, room labels, hallway names, exterior door or stairwell numbers, hazardous material locations, utility shutoffs, AEDs, trauma kits, parking areas, athletic fields, surrounding roads, and neighboring properties. It defines “site mapping for emergency response” as information provided in electronic or digital form to assist law enforcement or first responders during an emergency.

Impact

The bill expands the confidentiality and content requirements for school emergency response plans under section 2801-a of the Education Law and adds a new definition for site mapping. It also amends the school building aid provisions in section 3602 to make site mapping for emergency response an eligible security-related expenditure for which school districts may receive additional building aid, subject to a commissioner-prescribed special cost allowance. In practical terms, districts that create or update these maps could seek state reimbursement, and the commissioner would be responsible for setting the allowable cost limits.

Sentiment

The available bill materials do not include committee debate or recorded votes, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or support from transcripts. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears to be framed as a school safety and emergency preparedness initiative, which suggests a generally favorable policy posture toward improving first-responder access to school layout information. The absence of voting history or transcript discussion limits the ability to assess broader legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s safety-oriented purpose.

Contention

The main policy tension is likely between improving emergency access and preserving the confidentiality of sensitive school security information. The bill keeps these maps confidential and limits disclosure to authorized school staff, the department, and law enforcement, but it also requires broad compatibility with multiple software platforms and detailed mapping standards, which may raise implementation and cost concerns for school districts. Another possible point of contention is the administrative burden of annual verification walkthroughs and the need for districts to update maps and labeling to maintain accuracy.