New Indiana State Laws: Guns in Church, School Bus Safety, School Alert System

New Indiana State Laws: Guns in Church, School Bus Safety, School Alert System

New Indiana state laws went into effect July 1, and there are some key changes to school bus laws, firearm legislation, and overall school safety.

  • By Kaitlyn DeHaven
  • July 08, 2019

293 new Indiana state laws went into effect July 1, and some of them will directly impact church and school safety.

There will now be harsh penalties for those who pass school buses while the “stop arm” is extended and children are entering or exiting the bus. These penalties can range from paying a fine to the suspension of a driver’s license.

Last year, three children were killed and one was injured after a woman passed a school bus while the stop arm was extended. While the woman faced felony charges due for homicide, it was only a Class A misdemeanor for anyone who recklessly passed a school bus while the stop arm was extended. Now, if the driver passes the school bus while the “stop arm” is out, and the failure to comply with the law results in injury or death, the individual will face a level six felony.

Another law put into effect July 1 states that individuals who are legally authorized to carry a firearm may possess it in a church or religious building that’s connected to a school as long as the religious institutions permits firearms. Furthermore, it is not allowable to bring a gun into a school building when it’s being used by a house of worship that allows guns.

In regards to school safety, county sheriffs and local school corporations can request grants from the Indiana Secured School Fund to set up active event warning systems modeled on Porter Country’s process. In using this, a mobile application will alert all area on- and off-duty law enforcement at the local, state and federal levels in response to an active shooter or other emergency situation at a school.

Furthermore, school districts will now be authorized to hold a voter referendum on whether to hike property taxes by up to 10 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for up to an 8-year period to pay for school safety needs.

About the Author

Kaitlyn DeHaven is the Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • CISA Releases Anonymous Threat Response Guidance and Toolkit for K-12 Schools

    The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released the Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools, a new resource to help kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools and their law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and work in coordination with law enforcement and other local partners when these threats arise. It is co-sealed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided expert feedback on the toolkit’s key principles and strategies. Read Now

  • How Hospitals are Using Modern Technology to Improve Security

    Workplace violence is a serious and growing challenge for many organizations — including those in the healthcare industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in healthcare and social services experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence and are five times as likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than workers overall — and aggressive incidents are rising. Read Now

  • Father of Georgia School Shooting Suspect Charged in Connection With Attack

    Colin Gray, the father of the 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect, has also been charged in connection with the attack. The 54-year-old father was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children. Read Now

  • Safeguarding Stony Brook University Hospital: HALO’S Commitment to Health & Safety

    The healthcare industry is experiencing an alarming escalation of violence, including an increase in threats against healthcare workers. As a result, it is looking for ways to be proactive and protect its staff and patients.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,  the rate of injuries from violent attacks against medical professionals grew by 63% from 2011 to 2018 and hospital safety directors say that aggression against staff escalated as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified in 2020.      Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars