H.R. 8506: Securing Aid for Every School Act

The bill known as the "Securing Aid for Every School Act," or the "SAFE School Act," aims to enhance school security across the United States by establishing a grant program overseen by the Attorney General. Key components of the bill include:

Grant Program Establishment

The Attorney General will create a grant program within the Office of Justice Programs. This program will provide funds to States and local educational agencies to support activities focused on improving school security.

Eligible Activities for Funding

Activities that can receive funding under this grant program include the following:

• Training Programs: Establishing and implementing certification or licensure programs for training veterans and former law enforcement officers to become school safety officers. This training may include firearm handling and de-escalation techniques.
• Hiring Safety Personnel: Employing trained veterans or former law enforcement officers (or off-duty law enforcement) as school safety officers in elementary and secondary schools.
• Security Improvements: Enhancing school security infrastructure through measures such as:
• Installing metal detectors, x-ray machines, fencing, or surveillance systems to control access to school facilities.
• Implementing safety measures for doors and windows, including passcodes, locks, and bullet-resistant glass.
• Improving emergency responsiveness with emergency lighting, call boxes, alerts, and generators.

No Federal Interference

The Attorney General will not impose restrictions that could prevent or discourage States or local educational agencies from using grant funds for the intended school security activities. Additionally, there will be no federal requirements dictating the specifics of the certification or training programs, allowing States flexibility in their implementation.

Nondiscrimination Provisions

The Attorney General is mandated to award grants without discrimination against schools based on public or private status, religious affiliation, or whether they receive federal or state funding for school resource officers.

Financial Authorization

The bill authorizes an appropriation of $900 million to support the activities outlined in this program, aiming to significantly enhance school safety across the country.

Relevant Companies

None found