A bipartisan bill sponsored on April 30 by U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) would set clear guidelines at the federal level to ensure all school maps produced with taxpayer funding are consistent, coordinated, and compatible with existing public safety systems.
“In an emergency, every second counts,” said Rep. Brian Mast. “If our children are in danger, first responders shouldn’t be forced to rely on outdated or confusing information. This bill is a straightforward, common-sense solution that ensures every taxpayer-funded school map is clear, accurate, and up to date.”
The Uniform School Mapping Act, H.R. 3113, which has three original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and George Whitesides (D-CA), would prohibit federal funds from being obligated or expended to procure certain emergency response maps for America’s schools, and direct the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to procure and distribute certain emergency response maps.
A bill summary provided by Rep. Mast’s office points out that when first responders reach a school in a crisis, they rely on emergency response maps to navigate school grounds.
If enacted, H.R. 3113 would address some common flaws among existing maps, such as incorrect floor plans, outdated facility footprints, inaccessible formats, and inconsistent orientations, the summary says.
Standardized elements like storing maps in accessible digital formats, maintaining north-oriented consistency, ensuring grid references in surroundings, and requiring annual verification are also addressed in the bill without spending any additional taxpayer dollars. Fifteen states have already adopted legislation for response map production.
The measure has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.