Governor Evers signed into law 2021 Act 109 on December 3, which provides schools an additional option when submitting their information under the 2017 Act 143 requirements.
The law now allows schools to submit “critical incident mapping data” instead of a school blueprint. As always, blueprints do not have to be formal architectural drawings. The DOJ has long interpreted blueprints as any kind of written plan that identifies the location of all doors, windows, stairwells, cafeterias, gyms, libraries, teacher lounges, bathrooms, showers, locker rooms, etc.
A critical incident map is a map that uses satellite imagery to map out the various responses to a critical incident. For example, the map may include the location where law enforcement may stage its operations or the places that medical units can wait in the event of a violent incident.
The new law also provides schools with grant opportunities to help create critical incident maps. These grants must be applied for in conjunction with your local law enforcement agency. Private K-12 schools are eligible to apply.
More information about the grant and the new law will be released by the DOJ in the next few months.
In the meantime, you still have to meet the safety plan submission deadline. Even if you do not have all the information required, submit what you do have so your school meets the deadline. DOJ staff will follow up with your school about the missing parts.
