Modern School Threat Reporting Act of 2018

Bill: 115-hr-7056
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. MacArthur, Thomas [R-NJ-3]
Introduced: 2018-10-09
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child safety and welfare

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Criminal justice information and records

Education programs funding

Educational facilities and institutions

Elementary and secondary education

Law enforcement administration and funding

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2018-11-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-10-09
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Modern School Threat Reporting Act of 2018</b></p> <p>This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to make grants for states to acquire a mobile application that enables students to anonymously report school safety threats to law enforcement agencies. </p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7056 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 9, 2018 Mr. MacArthur introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary , and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To authorize the Attorney General to make grants to States to acquire a mobile application that facilitates the reporting of school safety threats to local law enforcement agencies for use by students in secondary schools, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Modern School Threat Reporting Act of 2018 . 2. Grants for mobile applications to report school threats (a) Authorization The Attorney General is authorized to make grants to States to acquire and make available a mobile application that facilitates the reporting of school safety threats to local law enforcement agencies for use by students in secondary schools (as such term is defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 )), which mobile application meets the requirements described in subsection (c). (b) Application The chief executive of a State seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require, including— (1) the guidelines that the State will implement for use by secondary schools and local law enforcement agencies in the State related to the mobile application; and (2) a plan to deter misuse of the mobile application, including deterring the use of the application for bullying. (c) Mobile application requirements described The requirements for a mobile application described in this subsection are the following: (1) The mobile application shall enable the user enter information related to a potential threat to the physical safety of one or more students or employees of the school into the application, which shall be reported immediately to the appropriate school official and local law enforcement agency. (2) The mobile application shall enable the user to report the information described in paragraph (1) anonymously. (3) The mobile application shall provide notice to the user— (A) of the capability to report the information described in paragraph (1) anonymously; and (B) that if the user chooses to disclose his or her identity, that identifying information will be reported to the appropriate school official and local law enforcement agency, but shall, subject to applicable law, be kept confidential by such official and agency. (d) Training A State receiving a grant under this section shall develop training on the use of and response to report made through the mobile application described in subsection (c), and shall provide such training, on an annual basis, to appropriate school officials and officers and employees of law enforcement agencies. (e) Grant amount The amount of a grant made to a State under this section may not exceed $50,000.