New Calif. Law Requires Inside Locks at Schools

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill that requires new school construction projects in the state to be outfitted with modern door locks that lock from the inside.

 

The bill, AB 211, which was proposed by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk), aims to create safer school facilities that better protect students and staff in the case of a violent incident.

 

"Many school staff members keep their keys in areas where they do not have immediate access to them," Mendoza says. "The locks in many school classrooms, offices, and other rooms where students and school staff gather can only be locked from the outside."

 

The law goes into effect Jan. 1 and requires that all new construction projects submitted to the California Division of the State Architect include inside locks for rooms with occupancies of five or more people.