BILL M234 – 2026
SCHOOL AMENDMENT ACT, 2026

HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

1 The School Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 412, is amended by adding the following section:

Controlled access to school buildings

74.02 (1) A board must establish, within 60 days after the date of Royal Assent of this Act and in accordance with any ministerial orders, a policy respecting controlled access to school buildings during hours of instruction.

(2) A policy under subsection (1) must

(a) require all exterior doors to be secured to prevent unauthorized entry,

(b) restrict entry to each school building to entry points designated by the board in accordance with subsection (3),

(c) provide that all designated entry points must be monitored by staff in accordance with prescribed security measures,

(d) require all visitors to report to the school office or reception area before being permitted to access other areas of the school, and

(e) meet any other requirement established by order of the minister.

(3) In designating the entry points to a particular school building for the purposes of the policy referred to in subsection (1), the board must determine the reasonable number and location of entry points, taking into consideration the configuration of the school building and the school property, the number and age of the students, and the applicable fire and safety codes and accessibility requirements.

2 The following section is added:

Orders respecting controlled access to school buildings

168.002 (1) The minister may make orders respecting board policies established under section 74.02 (1), including, without limitation, orders

(a) respecting a schedule for implementation,

(b) providing for exemptions for building design or special circumstances,

(c) respecting security measures for controlled entry monitoring, or

(d) providing for a periodic review.

(2) In making an order under subsection (1), the minister may make different orders for different classes of schools.

Commencement

3 This Act comes into force by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council or on the date that is 90 days after the date of Royal Assent, whichever is earlier.

Explanatory Notes

CLAUSE 1: [School Act, section 74.02] requires a board to establish a policy respecting controlled access to school buildings during hours of instruction.

CLAUSE 2: [School Act, section 168.002] adds authority for the minister to make orders respecting board policies established under section 74.02 (1).