Establishing the safe and secure firearm detection program in the office of the attorney general, providing for certain entities to use firearm detection software, establishing the safe and secure firearm detection fund and transferring funds from the state general fund to support the program.
Impact
The bill introduces specific requirements for the firearm detection software to be used in public settings. The software must integrate with existing security camera systems and operate from a control center staffed by qualified personnel who can communicate threats in real time. This is poised to improve the security infrastructure of educational institutions and other public areas, potentially contributing to a decrease in firearm-related incidents in these settings. The establishment of the safe and secure firearm detection fund will also ensure that resources are available for maintaining and expanding the program.
Summary
House Bill 2381 establishes a safe and secure firearm detection program under the oversight of the Attorney General in Kansas. The legislation mandates the creation of a program that allows public entities and accredited nonpublic schools to implement firearm detection software designed to identify unholstered firearms. This program aims to enhance safety in schools and public spaces by proactively detecting potential threats before they escalate. The bill also provides for a fundamental funding mechanism by allocating $20 million from the state general fund to support the program's implementation.
Contention
While the intent of HB 2381 is to enhance public safety, there could be debates regarding the efficacy and ethical implications of deploying such surveillance technology. Critics may express concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse of surveillance data. There could also be discussions around the financial implications of state funding, particularly in comparison to other educational priorities. Community stakeholders may voice differing opinions on whether the focus should remain on technological solutions rather than broader approaches to safety, such as mental health support and conflict resolution programs.
Establishing policy requirements for school safety and security and cardiac emergency response plans and providing grant programs for the implementation of such policies.
Creating the regulatory relief division within the office of the attorney general and establishing the general regulatory sandbox program to waive or suspend state statutes and rules and regulations for program participants.
Creating the regulatory relief division within the office of the attorney general and establishing the general regulatory sandbox program to waive or suspend rules and regulations for program participants.
Establishing the prevention of maternal mortality grant program fund within the department of health and environment, providing for competitive grants to fund programs for the prevention of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, establishing the prevention of maternal mortality grant program fund and making transfers to such fund.
Enacting the second amendment financial privacy act, prohibiting financial institutions from using a firearms code to engage in certain discriminatory conduct and surveilling, reporting or tracking the purchase of firearms and ammunition, authorizing the attorney general to investigate and enforce violations of such act and providing a civil penalty for violations thereof.
Requiring the Kansas bureau of investigation to establish a Kansas voluntary do-not-sell firearms list to prevent the purchase of firearms by any person who voluntarily registers to be placed on the list.
Transferring certain child care programs to the Kansas office of early childhood and separating licensing duties between the secretary for health and environment and the executive director of early childhood.