Lawmakers send school, public buildings security plans law to governor

With just 2 1/2 hours to spare before the Legislature's 6 p.m. deadline, the state Senate cast the final votes needed to send Gov. Jay Nixon a bill re-imposing closed-records status to security and emergency response plans for schools and other public buildings.

Rep. Caleb Jones, R-California, sponsored the version lawmakers approved today.

The law has an emergency clause so it can go into effect as soon as Nixon signs it.

The law was needed because the previous law had a sunset clause, ending its effectiveness last Dec. 31.

Cole County Sheriff Greg White was among several officials testifying to House and Senate committees about the need for the new law.

There is no new sunset clause, so the new law would close the records permanently.