The beginning of the school year brings more than new schedules and routines. Several recent New York safety updates, requirements and guidance documents affect emergency planning, staff training, drills, maps and reporting. Here are six updates every school leader should review for the 2026–27 school year.
6 Safety Updates for Emergency Planning:
1. Desha’s Law Is Now Fully in Effect
Desha’s Law requires public school districts, BOCES and charter schools to incorporate cardiac emergency response procedures into district-wide and building-level safety plans.
Schools should confirm that plans address cardiac emergencies in buildings, on school grounds and at athletic venues; AEDs are clearly marked, accessible and properly maintained; and trained personnel are available as required. Annual student and staff safety training must now include sudden cardiac arrest recognition and response. Staff training must be completed by September 15.
Review NYSED’s Desha’s Law guidance
2. School-Safety Drills Must Prepare, Not Scare
NYSED’s February 2026 drill guidance reinforces that drills involving students must be trauma-informed, age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate. Props, actors and realistic simulations are prohibited.
Complete annual emergency-procedure training before conducting drills. For most drills, notify families at least one day and no more than seven days in advance without sharing the exact date or time. At the time of the drill, announce that it is a drill, except for evacuation drills. Emergency-dismissal drills require at least one full week’s notice, including the date and time. Plan accommodations for students and staff with access or functional needs.
Read NYSED’s school-safety drill guidance
3. Use New York’s Required Emergency Terms
New York schools must use five standardized emergency-response terms: Evacuate, Shelter, Hold, Secure Lockout and Lockdown.
These terms and their required meanings should appear consistently in building-level emergency response plans, district-wide plans, staff training, student instruction and emergency communications. Annual staff training must also explain Incident Command System roles, emergency-team responsibilities and how classrooms will be released from a lockdown during drills.
Review the required terminology
4. Do Not Miss the Annual Safety-Plan Deadlines
District-wide safety plans and building-level emergency response plans must be reviewed and adopted annually by September 1. The district-wide plan requires a 30-day public-comment period and a public hearing before adoption.
By October 1, districts must submit the district-wide plan information and each confidential building-level plan through the NYSED Business Portal. The public district-wide plan belongs on the district website; however, building-level plans, floor plans and operational details must remain confidential.
View NYSED’s submission instructions
5. Make Sure Emergency Maps Are Responder-Ready
An April 2026 NYSED tip sheet provides a clearer checklist for the floor plans and area maps included with building-level emergency response plans.
Maps must be current, submitted as PDFs and clearly understandable to first responders. Required details include a north arrow, room and door labels, numbered or lettered entrances, utility shutoffs, fire-alarm equipment, AEDs, fire lanes, evacuation routes and emergency-response areas. Update maps whenever building modifications or emergency procedures change, and provide current copies to local law enforcement.
Review NYSED’s emergency-map checklist
6. Safety Planning Does Not End With the School Day
NYSED’s August 2025 guidance emphasizes planning for athletics, clubs, childcare, performances, community programs and other activities occurring before or after regular school hours.
Review who is in command during these periods, how emergency announcements will reach indoor and outdoor areas, how visitors will be managed and how students will be accounted for and reunified. School employees working these activities need appropriate annual training. Outside organizations should receive emergency procedures, contact information, access instructions and the locations of exits and AEDs.
Read the before / after school planning guidance
And One More September 1st Deadline
School districts, charter schools and BOCES must publish on their websites their first annual report on enforcement of the state’s distraction-free schools policy by September 1, 2026. The report must include non-identifiable demographic data regarding disciplinary action, an analysis of enforcement disparities and, when a statistically significant disparity is identified, a mitigation plan.
And remember that compliance is important but the real goal is ensuring that every person understands what to do when something goes wrong. Because safety starts with people.
Note: Requirements may differ for nonpublic schools. This overview is intended for general educational purposes and should be reviewed alongside current NYSED guidance and district counsel.
