SB 6042
In CommitteeSenate
School maps
Requiring the creation and maintenance of school maps in safe school plans.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill requires Washington public school districts to create and maintain detailed, standardized digital maps of their facilities and grounds, and to share them with emergency responders to improve emergency response coordination. It also strengthens safe school plan requirements—including mandatory monthly drills and updated planning—and ensures sensitive mapping data is protected from public disclosure.
- Requires school districts to include digital school maps in their safe school plans, which must be shared with local and state first responder agencies.
- Mandates that school maps meet specific technical standards: interoperability with first responder software (no extra cost to agencies), accurate floor plans verified by on-site walk-throughs, and detailed labeling of interior/exterior features (e.g., doors, stairwells, evacuation routes, hazards).
- Exempts all school mapping data from public disclosure under the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56.420) to protect security and safety.
- Requires school districts to conduct at least one safety drill per month, including shelter-in-place, lockdown, and evacuation drills, with specific requirements for lahars, tsunamis, and earthquakes.
- Adds new requirements for first responder agencies to notify nearby schools during emergencies if evacuation or lockdown is needed, and limits liability for failure to notify unless there is willful disregard.
Who is affected
- Public school districts — School districts must create, maintain, and update detailed digital maps of school facilities and grounds to share with emergency responders, and ensure staff receive training and information about safe school plans.
- Local and state first responder agencies — First responder agencies (e.g., police, fire, emergency medical services) gain access to standardized, interoperable school maps to support faster and more effective emergency response.
- Students, staff, and families — Students, staff, and families benefit from improved emergency preparedness and clearer reunification procedures, while students with disabilities receive specific accommodations in safety planning.
- Private and charter schools — Private schools and charter schools must comply with the same safe school planning requirements as public school districts, including participation in drills and coordination with emergency responders.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Standardized, interoperable digital maps shared with first responders will significantly improve emergency response speed and accuracy—especially during active shooter, fire, or natural disaster events—potentially saving lives by enabling precise situational awareness for responders.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(j), Sec. 3(1), Sec. 3(2)(c)(v)Mandatory monthly drills—including lahars/tsunami evacuations and earthquake “drop, cover, hold” training—will build muscle memory and preparedness across all age groups, directly enhancing student and staff survival odds in regionally specific hazards.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)(b), Sec. 2(5)(c)(i), Sec. 2(5)(c)(ii)Exempting school mapping data from public records disclosure protects sensitive security information (e.g., door locations, HVAC control points, evacuation routes) from being exploited by malicious actors, strengthening physical safety without infringing on legitimate public oversight.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 3(3)(a), RCW 42.56.420 (as amended)Explicit inclusion of students with disabilities in reunification and drill planning—along with trauma-informed drill requirements—ensures equitable emergency preparedness and aligns with federal disability rights law, reducing systemic vulnerability.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c), Sec. 2(2)(j), Sec. 2(5)(b)Mandating that first responders notify nearby schools during evolving threats (e.g., active shooter, hazardous material release) improves cross-agency coordination and gives schools critical lead time to activate protocols, directly benefiting students and staff.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(8)(a)
Potential Concerns (4)
School districts must invest in creating and maintaining accurate digital maps and conducting monthly safety drills, which imposes new operational and staffing costs—especially for small or underfunded districts—without guaranteed state funding, potentially diverting resources from core instructional or support services.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(j), Sec. 3School districts may need to contract with external vendors (e.g., GIS specialists, security consultants) to develop and maintain compliant mapping systems, benefiting private contractors while placing fiscal strain on districts that lack in-house technical capacity.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(j), Sec. 3Mandatory monthly drills (including lockdowns and evacuations) may disrupt instructional time—particularly during critical testing windows or for students with trauma histories—and lack guidance on mitigating psychological impacts, potentially harming student well-being and academic engagement.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)(b), Sec. 2(5)(c)(ii)The liability shield for first responders who fail to notify schools during emergencies (absent “willful disregard”) may reduce accountability and discourage thorough post-incident review, potentially undermining trust in emergency coordination.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(8)(a), Sec. 2(8)(b)
Who Is Most Affected
Public school districts face new costs and administrative burdens to develop, maintain, and update digital maps and conduct monthly drills—especially problematic for small or underfunded districts without dedicated GIS or security staff. However, improved emergency response coordination may reduce long-term liability and improve community trust.
First responders gain standardized, real-time access to accurate school floor plans and hazard locations, enabling faster, more effective emergency response. The liability limitation for non-notification reduces legal risk but may disincentivize proactive communication.
Students, staff, and families benefit from enhanced physical safety and inclusion of disability accommodations, but may face increased anxiety or instructional disruption from frequent drills—especially if not implemented with trauma-informed practices.
Private and charter schools must comply with identical mapping and drill requirements, ensuring parity in safety protocols across sectors—but they lack the same access to state funding and technical support available to public districts, increasing their relative burden.