Safe Schools Act
Bill: H.R.8008 | Sponsor: Rep. Garcia, Mike (R-CA)
Policy area: Education

Summary:
Safe Schools Act
This bill allows state and local educational agencies to use certain COVID-19 emergency relief funds to carry out school security measures (e.g., trainings and security assessments).

To allow States and local educational agencies to use any remaining 
  COVID-19 elementary and secondary school emergency relief funds for 
                       school security measures.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Safe Schools Act''.

SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR SCHOOL SECURITY.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of an ESSERF 
program or any other law, a State or local educational agency that has 
received funds under an ESSERF program may, in lieu of the original 
requested or authorized use for such funds, use a portion of, or all, 
of the unexpended funds to carry out 1 or more school security 
measures.
    (b) No Federal Interference.--The Secretary of Education shall 
not--
            (1) prevent or discourage any State or local educational 
        agency from using any ESSERF program funds for school security 
        measures;
            (2) require the use of funds under subsection (a) to be in 
        response to, or in any way connected with, the coronavirus; or
            (3) enforce any requirement of an ESSERF program if such 
        requirement would prevent a State or local educational agency 
        from carrying out a school security measure authorized under 
        subsection (a).
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) ESSERF program.--The term ``ESSERF program'' means a 
        program carried out under--
                    (A) section 18003 of the CARES Act (20 U.S.C. 3401 
                note; Public Law 116-136);
                    (B) section 313 of division M of the Consolidated 
                Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260; 134 Stat. 
                1929); or
                    (C) section 2001 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 
                2021 (Public Law 117-2; 135 Stat. 19).
            (2) School security measure.--The term ``school security 
        measure'' means any of the following:
                    (A) An evidence-based strategy or program to 
                prevent violence, which may include the use of 
                appropriate technologies, including the placement and 
                use of metal detectors and other deterrent measures and 
                emergency notification and response technologies.
                    (B) Training to prevent student violence against 
                others and self, including training for local law 
                enforcement officers, school personnel, and students.
                    (C) The development and operation of an anonymous 
                reporting system for threats of school violence, 
                including a mobile telephone application, hotline, or 
                internet website.
                    (D) The development and operation of--
                            (i) a school threat assessment and 
                        intervention team that may include coordination 
                        with law enforcement agencies and school 
                        personnel; and
                            (ii) specialized training for school 
                        officials in responding to mental health 
                        crises.
                    (E) Coordination with local law enforcement 
                agencies.
                    (F) A security assessment.
                    (G) Security training of personnel and students.
                    (H) Acquisition and installation of technology for 
                expedited notification of local law enforcement during 
                an emergency.
                    (I) Reinforcing or replacing classroom doors, 
                locks, or window panels.
                    (J) Constructing fencing, bollards, planters, 
                curbs, walls, or any other entry control measure to 
                create a single point of entry to the campus.
                    (K) Clearing exterior spaces of foliage or 
                structures to eliminate spaces that could conceal 
                illicit activity, provide access to the building above 
                the first floor, or otherwise aid an intruder.
                    (L) Installing a system to monitor hallways, 
                stairwells, and utility rooms, such as physical 
                inspection or surveillance cameras.
                    (M) Hiring and paying the salaries of qualified 
                individuals, such as retired law enforcement officers 
                or military veterans, to serve as armed school resource 
                officers.
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