Uniform School Mapping Act

This bill sets uniform rules for emergency response maps used in buildings, campuses, and other facilities. Starting in fiscal year 2026, federal money can’t be used to buy these maps unless they meet clear standards. Maps must be digital and easy to open, stored in the United States, work with public safety software, and be printable and shareable. They must show true north, use a coordinate grid, include aerial imagery of each floor, and label key features like doors, rooms, hallways, stairwells, hazards, parking, nearby roads, and more. Maps must be checked for accuracy by a walkthrough, be updatable, and be provided without extra fees to the buyer and to public safety agencies after purchase.

The Department of Homeland Security must, within one year of the law taking effect, create a plan to buy compliant maps for federal sites it deems critical and share them with public safety agencies, then brief congressional committees 180 days after submitting the plan.

Key points

• Who is affected: Federal agencies and anyone using federal funds to buy emergency response maps; public safety agencies that receive and use the maps.
• What changes: Federal funds can’t be used for non‑compliant maps; strict standards for map content and access; DHS must plan for buying and distributing compliant maps for critical federal sites.
• When: The funding rules start in fiscal year 2026; the DHS strategy is due within one year of enactment, with a briefing 180 days later.