69–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPT. 110–821 " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session Part 1 

SCHOOL SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS ACT OF 2008 

AUGUST 1, 2008.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. CONYERS, from the Committee on the Judiciary, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

ADDITIONAL VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 2352] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill 

(H.R. 2352) to enhance the safety of elementary schools, secondary 

schools, and institutions of higher education, having considered the 

same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

The Amendment ...................................................................................................... 2 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 3 

Background and Need for the Legislation ............................................................. 3 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 4 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 4 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 5 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 5 

New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures ...................................................... 5 

Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate .......................................................... 5 

Performance Goals and Objectives ......................................................................... 7 

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 7 

Advisory on Earmarks ............................................................................................. 7 

Section-by-Section Analysis .................................................................................... 7 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 8 

Additional Views ...................................................................................................... 11 


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THE AMENDMENT

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘School Safety Enhancements Act of 2008’’. 

TITLE I—ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY 

EDUCATION SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS 

SEC. 101. GRANT PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL SECURITY. 

Section 2701 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 

U.S.C. 3797a) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking ‘‘Placement’’ and inserting ‘‘Installation’’; and 

(ii) by inserting ‘‘surveillance equipment,’’ after ‘‘detectors,’’; 

(B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and 

(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: ‘‘(5) Establishment of hotlines or tiplines for the reporting of potentially dangerous students and situations.’’; 

(2) by striking subsection (d)(1) and inserting the following: 

‘‘(1) The Federal share of the costs of a program provided by a grant under 

subsection (a) shall be not more than 80 percent of the total of such costs.’’; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(g) INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the School Safety Enhancements Act of 2008, the Director and the Secretary 

of Education, or the designee of the Secretary, shall establish an interagency task 

force to develop and promulgate a set of advisory school safety guidelines. The advisory school safety guidelines shall be published in the Federal Register by not later 

than one year after such date of enactment. In developing the final advisory school 

safety guidelines, the interagency task force shall consult with stakeholders and interested parties, including parents, teachers, and agencies.’’. 

SEC. 102. APPLICATIONS. 

Section 2702(a)(2) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 

U.S.C. 3797b(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows: ‘‘(2) be accompanied by a report, signed by the chief education officer and the 

attorney general or other chief law enforcement executive of the State, unit of 

local government, or Indian tribe, certifying that each proposed use of the grant 

funds will be— ‘‘(A) an effective means for improving the safety of one or more schools; 

‘‘(B) consistent with a comprehensive approach to preventing school violence; and ‘‘(C) individualized to the needs of each school at which those improvements are to be made.’’. 

SEC. 103. ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS. 

Section 2703 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 

U.S.C. 3797c) is amended by striking ‘‘and the activities for which those funds were 

used’’ and inserting ‘‘and a detailed itemization of how those funds were utilized’’. 

SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

Section 2705 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 

U.S.C. 3797e) is amended by striking ‘‘$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 

through 2009’’ and inserting ‘‘$50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 and 

2010’’. 

SEC. 105. ADDITIONAL AMENDMENT. 

Paragraph (5) of section 2701(b) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets 

Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797a(b)) (as amended by section 101 of this Act) is further 

amended by inserting ‘‘, including hazardous conditions’’ after ‘‘and situations’’. 

SEC. 106. ADDITIONAL AMENDMENT TO THE GRANT PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL SECURITY. 

Section 2701(b) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 

U.S.C. 3797a(b)) (as amended by sections 101 and 105 of this Act) is further amended by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph (and redesignating 

the succeeding paragraphs accordingly): 


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‘‘(5) Development and implementation of safety measures to protect students 

in the event of a terrorist attack or other hazardous condition or situation.’’. 

TITLE II—HIGHER EDUCATION SECURITY 

ENHANCEMENT 

SEC. 201. REQUIREMENT FOR CAMPUS SAFETY ASSESSMENTS. 

Section 485 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092) is amended by 

adding at the end the following: ‘‘(h) CAMPUS SAFETY ASSESSMENT.—Each eligible institution participating in any 

program under this title shall conduct an annual campus safety assessment that 

shall be prepared through consultation between the institution’s staff, including 

safety and security personnel, and local law enforcement officials.’’. 

SEC. 202. REQUIREMENT FOR CAMPUS EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS. 

Section 485 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended in section 201 (20 

U.S.C. 1092), is further amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(i) CAMPUS EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN.—Each eligible institution participating 

in any program under this title shall develop and implement a campus emergency 

response plan to address a comprehensive set of emergency situations, including the 

following: ‘‘(1) Natural disasters. 

‘‘(2) Active shooter situations. 

‘‘(3) Terrorist attacks.’’. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

H.R. 2352, the ‘‘School Safety Enhancements Act of 2008,’’ will 

enhance the safety of elementary schools, secondary schools, and 

institutions of higher education. The bill amends the Omnibus 

Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reauthorize and 

modify the school security grant program. It also creates an interagency task force to develop and promulgate a set of advisory 

school safety guidelines. Finally, it amends the Higher Education 

Act of 1965 to require participating institutions to conduct annual 

campus safety assessments and develop and implement a campus 

emergency response plan. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION

Violence in our schools continues at an alarming rate. Over the 

last decade, horrific instances of school shootings and other violent 

crimes have occurred in at least 27 States. Ensuring the safety of 

our students and teachers at all levels of education is a paramount 

concern to local, State, and Federal Governments. 

H.R. 2352, the ‘‘School Safety Enhancements Act of 2008,’’ will 

enhance the safety of our Nation’s elementary schools, secondary 

schools, and institutions of higher education. It accomplishes this 

objective by: (1) increasing the amount of funding available for 

school safety; (2) making those funds more accessible to poorer 

communities; (3) expanding the purposes for which such funding 

may be used; (4) establishing an interagency task force to develop 

and promulgate advisory school safety guidelines; and (5) requiring 

higher education institutions to conduct annual campus safety assessments and develop and implement campus emergency response 

plans. 

The bill increases the Federal portion of such funding from 50 

percent to 80 percent, which thereby decreases the non-federal portion from 50 percent to 20 percent. According to the Community 

Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office of the Department of JusVerDate Aug 31 2005 02:48 Aug 03, 2008 Jkt 069006 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR821P1.XXX HR821P1

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tice (which administers the Secure Our Schools grants), many of 

the communities most in need have been unable to participate in 

the program because they could not afford the previously required 

50 percent non-federal grant match. This revision to the ratio of 

non-federal funding is more in line with the COPS traditional ratio, 

and should facilitate greater participation in the program. 

To prevent future tragedies at schools, H.R. 2352 authorizes additional uses for grant funds, such as the installation of surveillance equipment, and the establishment of hotlines for the reporting of potentially dangerous students and situations. The bill also 

authorizes grant funds to be used to develop and implement safety 

measures at schools to address various types of dangerous incidents, including hazardous chemical and biological situations. 

In addition, H.R. 2352 requires that each grant application be accompanied by a report, signed not only by the chief education officer, but also by the attorney general, or other chief law enforcement executive of the State, unit of local government, or Indian 

tribe seeking the grant. These individuals must certify that the requested grant funds will: (1) be an effective means for improving 

school safety; (2) be consistent with a comprehensive approach to 

preventing school violence; and (3) address the individualized needs 

of the school receiving the grants. This certification requirement 

should help ensure that the chief law enforcement officer responsible for responding to incidents of school violence also has ‘‘upfront’’ involvement in developing measures to prevent such violence. In recognition of the value of an interdisciplinary approach 

to school safety, the bill establishes an interagency task force so 

that the Department of Justice can work with education agencies 

and other interested stakeholders, such as parents and teachers, in 

developing advisory school safety guidelines. 

Finally, while many higher education institutions have emergency safety plans and conduct annual safety assessments, not all 

do. To ensure that all institutions of higher education are meeting 

these minimal requirements for the safety of students, the legislation requires all participating institutions to implement these minimal safety standards. 

HEARINGS

The Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held 1 day of hearings on H.R. 2352, the ‘‘School 

Safety Enhancements Act of 2008,’’ on April 17, 2008. Testimony 

was received from Representative Steven R. Rothman (D–NJ), the 

sponsor of the bill. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On May 13, 2008, the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and 

Homeland Security met in open session and ordered the bill, H.R. 

2352, favorably reported, with an amendment, by voice vote, a 

quorum being present. On May 14, 2008, the Committee met in 

open session and ordered the bill, H.R. 2352, favorably reported 

with an amendment, by voice vote, a quorum being present. 


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COMMITTEE VOTES

In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee advises that there were 

no recorded votes during the Committee’s consideration of H.R. 

2352. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the findings 

and recommendations of the Committee, based on oversight activities under clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, are incorporated in the descriptive portions of this report. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY AND TAX EXPENDITURES

Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives is inapplicable because this legislation does not provide new 

budgetary authority or increased tax expenditures. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

In compliance with clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee sets forth, with respect to 

the bill, H.R. 2352, the following estimate and comparison prepared 

by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, June 30, 2008. 

Hon. JOHN CONYERS, Jr., Chairman, 

Committee on the Judiciary, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2352, the ‘‘School Safety 

Enhancements Act of 2008.’’

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Mark Grabowicz, who 

can be reached at 226–2860. 

Sincerely, 

PETER R. ORSZAG, DIRECTOR. Enclosure. 

cc: Honorable Lamar S. Smith, 

Ranking Member. 

H.R. 2352—School Safety Enhancements Act of 2008 

SUMMARY

H.R. 2352 would authorize the appropriation of $50 million for 

each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010 for the Department of Justice 

to make grants to State, local, and tribal governments for programs 

to improve school security. Current law authorizes funding for this 

program through fiscal year 2009; the existing 2009 authorization 


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is for $30 million. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2352 

would cost $63 million over the 2009–2013 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or receipts. 

H.R. 2352 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). 

ESTIMATED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 2352 is shown in the following table. For this estimate, CBO assumes that the amounts authorized by H.R. 2352 will be appropriated by the beginning of each 

fiscal year and that outlays will follow the historical spending rates 

for these activities. The cost of this legislation falls within budget 

function 750 (administration of justice). 

By Fiscal Year, in Millions of Dollars 

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 

SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Spending Under Current Law 

Budget Authority/Authorization Level 1 15 30 0 0 0 0 

Estimated Outlays 14 18 16 10 6 4 

Proposed Changes 

Estimated Authorization Level 0 20 50 0 0 0 

Estimated Outlays 0 4 17 19 13 10 

Spending Under H.R. 2352 

Budget Authority/Authorization Level 15 50 50 0 0 0 

Estimated Outlays 14 22 33 29 19 14 

1. The 2008 level is the amount appropriated for that year for school security grants. The 2009 level is the amount authorized in current law for this program. 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE-SECTOR IMPACT

H.R. 2352 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA. Provisions in the bill would benefit 

State, local, and tribal governments by extending and increasing 

the authorization for a grant program to improve school safety and 

by reducing the required match to participate in that program. Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, those governments would receive $63 million over the 2009–2013 period. Any 

associated costs or requirements on those governments would be incurred voluntarily as a condition of receiving federal assistance. 

ESTIMATE PREPARED BY: 

Federal Costs: Mark Grabowicz (226–2860) 

Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Burke Doherty 

(225–3220) 

Impact on the Private Sector: Corey T. Ponder and Patrice Gordon 

(226–2940) 

ESTIMATE APPROVED BY: 

Theresa Gullo 

Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis 


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PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Committee states that pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H.R. 2352 will: (1) reauthorize and expand the school safety grant program for two additional years; (2) create an interagency task force to promulgate advisory school safety guidelines within 1 year of enactment; and (3) 

require participating higher education institutions to conduct annual campus safety assessments and implement a campus emergency response plan. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee finds the authority for this legislation in article I, section 8 of the Constitution. 

ADVISORY ON EARMARKS

In accordance with clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, H.R. 2352 does not contain any congressional 

earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 

in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of Rule XXI. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

The following discussion describes the bill as reported by the 

Committee. 

Sec. 1. Short Title. Section 1 sets forth the short title of the bill 

as the ‘‘School Safety Enhancements Act of 2008.’’

Sec. 101. Grant Programs for School Security. Section 101 

amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 

to expand the purposes for which grant money may be expended, 

to include the installation of surveillance equipment and the establishment of hotlines or tiplines for the reporting of potentially dangerous students and situations. This section changes existing language regarding authorized use of grant money from ‘‘placement 

and use’’ of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent 

measures to the ‘‘installation and use’’ of these items. Section 101 

also increases the Federal share of the costs of the program from 

50 percent to not more than 80 percent. 

In addition, this provision directs the Director and the Secretary 

of Education to establish, not later than 60 days after the date of 

enactment, an interagency task force to develop and promulgate a 

set of advisory school safety guidelines. In developing these guidelines, the task force must consult with stakeholders and interested 

parties, including parents, teachers, and agencies. Within 1 year 

after the date of enactment, the advisory school safety guidelines 

must be published in the Federal Register. 

Sec. 102. Applications. Section 102 amends the Omnibus Crime 

Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to add a requirement that 

each grant application be accompanied by a report, signed by the 

chief education officer and the attorney general or other chief law 

enforcement executive of the State, unit of local government, or Indian tribe. The certification must state that the proposed uses of 

the funds will be: (1) an effective means for improving school safety; (2) consistent with a comprehensive approach to preventing 


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school violence; and (3) individualized to the needs of each school 

at which the improvements will be made. 

Sec. 103. Annual Report to Congress. Section 103 amends the 

Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require 

that each annual report to Congress include a detailed itemization 

of how the grant funds were utilized. 

Sec. 104. Authorization of Appropriations. Section 104 increases 

the authorized funding from $30 million to $50 million for each of 

fiscal years 2009 and 2010. 

Sec. 105. Additional Amendment. Section 105 amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 by expressly stating that hotlines and tiplines may be used for reporting hazardous 

conditions. 

Sec. 106. Additional Amendment to the Grant Program for School 

Security. Section 106 amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe 

Streets Act of 1968 to permit grant money to be used for the development and implementation of safety measures to protect students 

in the event of a terrorist attack or other hazardous condition or 

situation. 

Sec. 201. Requirement for Campus Safety Assessments. Section 

201 amends the Higher Education Act by requiring each eligible institution participating in any program under this title to conduct 

an annual campus safety assessment prepared through consultation between the institution’s staff, including safety and security 

personnel, and local law enforcement officials. 

Sec. 202. Requirement for Campus Emergency Response Plans. 

Section 202 amends the Higher Education Act by requiring each eligible institution participating in any program under this title to 

develop and implement a campus emergency response plan to address a comprehensive set of emergency situations, including natural disasters, active shooter situations, and terrorist attacks. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, 

existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): 

OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT 

OF 1968 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE I—JUSTICE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT 

* * * * * * * 

PART AA—MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR 

SCHOOL SECURITY 

SEC. 2701. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED. 

(a) * * * 


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(b) USES OF FUNDS.—Grants awarded under this section shall be 

distributed directly to the State, unit of local government, or Indian 

tribe, and shall be used to improve security at schools and on 

school grounds in the jurisdiction of the grantee through one or 

more of the following: 

(1) øPlacement¿ Installation and use of metal detectors, surveillance equipment, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures. 

* * * * * * * 

(5) Development and implementation of safety measures to 

protect students in the event of a terrorist attack or other hazardous condition or situation. 

(6) Establishment of hotlines or tiplines for the reporting of 

potentially dangerous students and situations, including hazardous conditions. 

ø(5)¿ (7) Any other measure that, in the determination of the 

Director, may provide a significant improvement in security. 

* * * * * * * 

(d) MATCHING FUNDS.—

ø(1) The portion of the costs of a program provided by a 

grant under subsection (a) may not exceed 50 percent.¿ 

(1) The Federal share of the costs of a program provided by 

a grant under subsection (a) shall be not more than 80 percent 

of the total of such costs. 

* * * * * * * 

(g) INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.—Not later than 60 days after the 

date of enactment of the School Safety Enhancements Act of 2008, 

the Director and the Secretary of Education, or the designee of the 

Secretary, shall establish an interagency task force to develop and 

promulgate a set of advisory school safety guidelines. The advisory 

school safety guidelines shall be published in the Federal Register 

by not later than one year after such date of enactment. In developing the final advisory school safety guidelines, the interagency 

task force shall consult with stakeholders and interested parties, including parents, teachers, and agencies. 

SEC. 2702. APPLICATIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—To request a grant under this part, the chief 

executive of a State, unit of local government, or Indian tribe shall 

submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, 

and accompanied by such information as the Director may require. 

Each application shall—

(1) * * * 

ø(2) be accompanied by an assurance that the application 

was prepared after consultation with individuals not limited to 

law enforcement officers (such as school violence researchers, 

child psychologists, social workers, teachers, principals, and 

other school personnel) to ensure that the improvements to be 

funded under the grant are—

ø(A) consistent with a comprehensive approach to preventing school violence; and 

ø(B) individualized to the needs of each school at which 

those improvements are to be made.¿ 


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(2) be accompanied by a report, signed by the chief education 

officer and the attorney general or other chief law enforcement 

executive of the State, unit of local government, or Indian tribe, 

certifying that each proposed use of the grant funds will be— (A) an effective means for improving the safety of one or 

more schools; 

(B) consistent with a comprehensive approach to preventing school violence; and 

(C) individualized to the needs of each school at which 

those improvements are to be made. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 2703. ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS. 

Not later than November 30th of each year, the Director shall 

submit a report to the Congress regarding the activities carried out 

under this part. Each such report shall include, for the preceding 

fiscal year, the number of grants funded under this part, the 

amount of funds provided under those grants, øand the activities 

for which those funds were used¿ and a detailed itemization of how 

those funds were utilized. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 2705. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part 

ø$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2009¿ 

$50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 and 2010. 

* * * * * * * 

HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE IV—STUDENT ASSISTANCE 

* * * * * * * 

PART G—GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO STUDENT ASSISTANCE

PROGRAMS

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 485. INSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION 

FOR STUDENTS. 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(h) CAMPUS SAFETY ASSESSMENT.—Each eligible institution participating in any program under this title shall conduct an annual 

campus safety assessment that shall be prepared through consultation between the institution’s staff, including safety and security 

personnel, and local law enforcement officials. 

(i) CAMPUS EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN.—Each eligible institution participating in any program under this title shall develop and 

implement a campus emergency response plan to address a comprehensive set of emergency situations, including the following: 

(1) Natural disasters. 


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(2) Active shooter situations. 

(3) Terrorist attacks. 

* * * * * * * 


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ADDITIONAL VIEWS

We join the Majority in support of this School Safety bill. Each 

day, roughly 160,000 children miss school because they are afraid 

of a violent incident, 100,000 children take a weapon to school, 

14,000 young people are attacked on school property, 6,250 teachers are threatened, and 260 teachers are assaulted. In the wake of 

the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech and a recent rash of violence 

in public places, federally funded school safety programs can provide invaluable resources to schools and local law enforcement to 

help keep schools safer. 

H.R. 2352, the School Safety Enhancements Act of 2008, provides 

grants for the placement and use of surveillance equipment in 

schools and hotlines or tiplines for reporting dangerous students or 

situations. The bill also increases the Secure Our Schools program 

authorization level and requires each college or university to (1) 

conduct an annual campus safety assessment in consultation with 

local law enforcement officials; and (2) develop and implement a 

campus emergency response plan. 

We had concerns with some provisions in the bill, but our colleagues in the Majority worked with us to address those concerns. 

Together, we crafted amendments that removed problematic language regarding federal funding for capital improvements to state 

and local facilities, rewrote the provision that outlines the uses of 

funds to allow grants to the States for the installation of surveillance equipment, and improved the section that establishes an 

interagency task force on school safety to require the task force to 

provide advisory guidelines within a year of enactment. 

We appreciate the Majority’s willingness to address our concerns 

and support the passage of H.R. 2352 as reported. 

LAMAR SMITH. 

STEVE CHABOT. 


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