Sen. Cruz, Jones introduce bipartisan School Security Enhancemen
Sen. Cruz, Jones introduce bipartisan School Security Enhancement Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) today introduced the School Security Enhancement Act, a bipartisan bill which would allow for Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grants awarded to local communities to be used for evidence-based school safety technology and infrastructure. The full text of the bill may be viewed here.
“I am proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Sen. Doug Jones, to empower schools and make America’s classrooms safer for our students,” Sen. Cruz said. “By expanding the use of these SSAE grants, schools will be equipped with additional resources to prevent further tragedies from taking place, and ensure education officials and community leaders can choose the safety infrastructure or technologies that work best within the context of the school’s learning environment.”
“Students should be able to feel safe at school and focus on their education,” Sen. Jones said. “We have a responsibility to make sure our schools are safe and to prevent the tragic and senseless violence we have seen all too often in recent years. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Senator Cruz so we can take a positive step toward providing schools the tools and resources they need in order to protect our children.”
The School Security Enhancement Act enables local school districts to use SSAE grant funding for school safety infrastructure and technology with evidence-based effectiveness, including to:
Control access to school premises or facilities, through the use of technology or infrastructure with evidence-based effectiveness;
Protect and conceal students within the school during crisis situations;
Provide trained school safety officers to protect school personnel and students;
Install technologies to provide prompt notification to relevant law enforcement and first responders during such a situation;
Provide school safety reinforcement, including bullet-resistant doors and windows;
Install any technology or system that would reduce the time needed to disseminate official information to parents regarding the safety of their children during and immediately following a crisis.
Additionally, the School Security Enhancement Act clarifies that SSAE grant funding shall not be used for the purpose of arming teachers. The bill does not change any other existing provision of law authorizing the providing of firearms or training in the use of firearms.
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(WEAR-TV via AP). This photo taken from video provided by WEAR-TV shows emergency responders near the Naval Air Base Station in Pensacola, Fla., Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. The US Navy is confirming that an active shooter and one other person are dead after...
(WEAR-TV via AP). This photo taken from video provided by WEAR-TV shows emergency responders near the Naval Air Base Station in Pensacola, Fla., Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. The US Navy is confirming that an active shooter and one other person are dead after...
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(AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy, File). FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2018, file photo, Pearl Harbor survivors salute during the National Anthem at a ceremony in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii marking the 77th anniversary of the Japanese attack. Survivors and members of the pu...
(AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy, File). FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2018, file photo, Pearl Harbor survivors salute during the National Anthem at a ceremony in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii marking the 77th anniversary of the Japanese attack. Survivors and members of the pu...
Survivors and members of the public are expected to gather in Pearl Harbor to remember those killed when Japanese planes bombed the Hawaii naval base 78 years ago and launched the U.
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Hungry shoppers filled the Grand Court at the South Plains Mall for the Breakfast with Santa Extravaganza.Hungry shoppers filled the Grand Court at the South Plains Mall for the Breakfast with Santa Extravaganza.
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(AP Photo/ Evan Vucci). President Donald Trump listens during a small business roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, in Washington.
(AP Photo/ Evan Vucci). President Donald Trump listens during a small business roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, in Washington.
A senior Trump administration official says the White House will not participate in the House Judiciary Committee's next impeachment hearing.
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On Saturday, December 7, the Lubbock Police Department will proudly kick off our 12th annual Santa Cops event. This special program pairs first responders with children identified as needing a helping hand this holiday season
On Saturday, December 7, the Lubbock Police Department will proudly kick off our 12th annual Santa Cops event. This special program pairs first responders with children identified as needing a helping hand this holiday season
For the 12th consecutive year, the Lubbock Police Department and Lubbock County Sheriff's Office have volunteered to spend a day with children identified as needing a helping hand this holiday season, taking them Christmas shopping.
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