BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Gloria Romero, Chair
2009-2010 Regular Session
BILL NO: AB 211
AUTHOR: Mendoza
AMENDED: June 1, 2009
FISCAL COMM: Yes HEARING DATE: July 1, 2009
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT:Kathleen Chavira
SUBJECT : Classroom Security Locks
SUMMARY
This bill requires as a condition for state education bond
funds, beginning January 1, 2010, all new construction
projects submitted to the Division of the State Architect
to include locks that allow classrooms, or any room with
occupancy of more than five persons to be locked from the
inside, and exempts specified rooms from this requirement.
BACKGROUND
Proposition 1D, authorized by AB 127 (Nunez and Perata) and
approved by the voters in November 2006, provided $7.3
billion for K-12 school facilities, $1.9 billion of which
was earmarked for new construction projects. Approximately
$500 million remains in new construction funds, as of May
31, 2009.
The Division of the State Architect provides design and
construction oversight for K-12 schools and community
colleges, and develops and maintains accessibility
standards and codes utilized in public and private
buildings throughout the State of California. The DSA
ensures that all plans, specifications, and actual
construction comply with Title 24 (California Building
Standards Code), develops and maintains accessibility
standards pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act,
and reviews a school's working drawings to ensure that the
proposed structures meet code requirements for seismic
safety, fire & life safety, and accessibility.
ANALYSIS
AB 211
Page 2
This bill :
1) Requires as a condition for state education bond
funds, beginning January 1, 2010, that all new
construction projects submitted to the Division of the
State Architect to include locks that allow classrooms
and rooms with an occupancy of five persons or more to
be locked from the inside.
2) Requires locks to conform to Title 24 California Code
of Regulations specifications and requirements.
3) Exempts doors locked from the outside at all times and
pupil restrooms from these requirements.
STAFF COMMENTS
1) Intent of the author . According to the author,
violent or potentially violent incidents on school
campuses and in the immediate neighborhoods
surrounding school campuses are increasing at an
alarming rate. "Lockdowns," the temporary confinement
of students and staff to classrooms, offices, and
other rooms during or following a disturbance, have
proven an effective tool to be used at school campuses
to facilitate the safety of both students and staff
during a violent or potentially violent situation.
However, the locks in most school classrooms, offices
and other rooms can only be locked from the outside,
jeopardizing the safety of students and school staff
as they enter hallways in an attempt to lock their
doors.
2) California Building Standards Code . Title 24
regulations prohibit manually operated flush bolts or
surface bolts on all exit doors except those in
residential dwellings and for storage or equipment
rooms. Additionally, the California Fire code
specifies that "exit doors shall be openable from the
inside without the use of a key or any special
knowledge or effort. Exit doors shall not be locked,
chained, bolted, barred, latched or otherwise rendered
unusable. All locking devices shall be of an approved
type." These provisions ensure that occupants are
easily able to exit a building or classroom in a panic
situation such as a fire or earthquake.
AB 211
Page 3
3) One size fits all ? It is unknown to what extent
existing schools have already arranged for inside
locks. This bill would mandate that any new
construction project by a school district anywhere in
the state include locks on the inside of the room.
Should this committee mandate the inclusion of these
locks for all school district or should these specific
types of school design issues be left to determination
based upon the unique needs and desires of individual
school communities?
SUPPORT
California School Boards Association
OPPOSITION
None received on this version.