Nashville, Tennessee – Lawmakers in Tennessee passed a bill on Monday requiring both public and private schools to have protocols in place to determine the cause of a fire alarm before evacuating students from classrooms. This decision comes in light of a tragic incident at a Nashville elementary school where a shooter set off a fire alarm, leading to the death of six individuals, including three children.
The state Senate unanimously approved the legislation following the House’s endorsement earlier this month. Senators directly linked the bill to The Covenant School shooting, where a third-grader, William Kinney, tragically lost his life while trying to lead his classmates out of the classroom during the chaos caused by the shooter’s actions.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ferrell Haile, a Gallatin Republican, underscores the importance of having clear procedures in place for situations where a fire alarm may be triggered by an active shooter. School personnel would be required to adhere to these policies starting July 1 once the bill is signed into law by Governor Bill Lee, who has not vetoed any legislation during his tenure.
In addition to mandating fire alarm response plans, the legislation aligns with the Republican-majority Legislature’s focus on enhancing school safety measures and addressing mental health issues in response to the tragic events at The Covenant School. Despite calls for stricter gun control measures, GOP lawmakers have remained steadfast in their stance on firearms regulations.
Meanwhile, some Republican legislators are advocating for the relaxation of restrictions on gun laws, with a bill passing in the House that would permit pre-kindergarten private schools to establish policies allowing firearms on their premises. This proposal still requires further approval in the Senate before becoming law.
Family members of students affected by The Covenant School shooting have been vocal supporters of the fire alarm bill, urging lawmakers to enact additional gun reform measures and other changes to prevent future tragedies. Some of these advocates were present in the gallery during Monday’s legislative session, showing solidarity in their quest for safer school environments.