Committee hears bill to require tailored crisis plans for students with disabilities

Lawmakers heard testimony in favor of Senate File 3717, a bill that would require school districts to adopt crisis plans tailored to students with disabilities, including provisions addressing communication access, mobility and sensory needs.

Senator Man, sponsor of the bill, said standard drills often fail to account for students with unique needs and that specific plans are necessary to keep all students safe. Dr. Vicki Anderson, representing educational audiologists, said only a small share of districts routinely add accommodations for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and urged statutory clarity and resources; Alicia Lane of the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provided similar testimony and shared a best-practices guide.

Emergency-management witnesses urged caution about prescriptive drill structures and recommended guidance and model resources so districts can implement modern protective-action frameworks that work across multiple scenarios. Senator Man’s bill was amended and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus education bill.

Committee members applauded the focus on equity and said they will consider implementation guidance and supports that can help smaller districts meet the requirements.