The state House of Representatives approved a bill on Monday that would require all public schools to install a panic button alert system.
House Bill 1653, sponsored by Rep. Scott Baltz, D-Pocahontas, would require public schools to have the alert system in place on or before Sept. 1.
Baltz said that each teacher would have a panic button in the classroom that, when pushed, would immediately alert other teachers and administrators in the school.
The bill says the system would connect the caller to 911 and would be available as a smartphone application.
Baltz said he promised not to implement the bill if he couldn't get it funded.
"I'm still working on the funding, but we sure think we've got it taken care of," Baltz said.
No one spoke for or against the bill. Baltz said 82 representatives co-sponsored HB1653 with him.
The House passed the bill with 91 voting for and no one voting against. The bill will now head to the Senate for approval.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
