Chamber approves bill that determines the installation of “panic buttons” in schools in Brazil

On Tuesday (10), the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill that requires public and private schools throughout the country to have security measures against episodes of violence in the school environment, among the measures are the training of professionals and prevention against these episodes. The text was authored by deputy Alfredo Gaspar, from the União party (AL) and was approved as a substitute by deputy Alberto Fraga from the PL (DF). The bill was approved by the deputies and goes to the Senate for approval.

What does the text say?

The bill includes some provisions for schools to adopt as security measures against these incidents, such as the installation of a “panic button” that would alert the responsible authorities in cases of emergency.

In addition to installing the emergency button, the law requires the installation of security cameras, training of staff responsible for activating and operating security equipment and the preparation of a plan to prevent and combat violence in schools.

^{Some schools in Espírito Santos already have a “panic button” in schools in addition to other security measures (Photo: reproduction/City of ES)}

The text also provides for a minimum of 2% for resources from the National Public Security Fund (FNSP) for the application and implementation of the measures mentioned in the bill. Another determination is the creation of a specific area in public bodies in all states for the prevention of violence in the school environment, for the creation of action plans and assistance to students.

Increase in violence in schools

According to the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, the number of cases of violence in schools has increased threefold in just one year, with more than 50,000 cases in 2023, while 20,000 were registered in 2022. With the bill, schools and professionals are expected to be prepared to prevent and protect students from episodes of violence.

Featured photo: Chamber of Deputies Plenary (Photo: reproduction/Diego Grandi/Shutterstock)