Tennessee Enacts Law Involving Security Film
May 17th, 2023 by Chris CollierTennessee governor Bill Lee signed HB0322, which sets school security film safety requirements, among others, into law on May 10, 2023. The legislation follows the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) proposed new school safety standards that include security film installations.
Darrell Smith, executive director of the International Window Film Association (IWFA), says various states and educational organizations are conducting threat assessments of their buildings. The Tennessee law affects public school buildings and charter school buildings constructed or remodeled after July 1, 2023.
Smith says those institutions are placing an emphasis on doors and windows that could allow someone to pass through if the glass was shattered or broken out.
“Safety and security window films should be one of the first considerations as an effective way to slow down wrongful entry, giving those in schools and law enforcement more time to react,” he adds.
On April 13, 2023, the Tennessee Senate substituted House Bill 322 (HB0322) for Senate Bill 274, adopting a number of amendments before advancing the bill. The law addresses door-locking mechanisms and camera systems, among other security-related items. However, security window film also received a specific mention within the law.
Public school buildings and charter school buildings will be required to “Have installed a clear, bullet-resistant or entry-resistant film on the glass panel of each exterior entry or basement level window and door to prevent individuals from entering the school building without authorization by breaking the glass in an exterior entry or basement level window or door,” according to the legislative summary.
Click here for the full summary.
Editor’s Note: School shootings represent a significant crisis in 2023. What role can security film and attachments play in preventing such tragedies? Stay tuned for WINDOW FILM magazine May/June 2023 for an in-depth feature on the topic. Click here for a free subscription.
Travis Rains, contributing editor to WINDOW FILM magazine, assisted with this story.
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