Relating to the establishment of school marshal grant programs by the criminal justice division of the governor's office and the adoption of a school marshals promotion program.
Impact
This legislation is designed to enhance safety measures in schools by facilitating the presence of trained personnel who can respond to security threats. The grants provided under this bill would allow schools to directly address safety concerns, potentially transforming the standard response to incidents of violence. By financially supporting the appointment and training of school marshals, the bill could influence overall school safety protocols and policy regarding armed individuals on campus.
Summary
House Bill 1313 proposes the establishment of grant programs aimed at supporting school marshal initiatives across Texas. Specifically, it seeks to enable school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to appoint armed school marshals, who would be trained and equipped to respond to potential threats. The bill outlines the creation of two specific grant programs: the School Marshal Support Grant Program and the School Marshal Notice Grant Program. Both programs would be funded through appropriations from the governor's office and would allow schools to cover the costs associated with training and providing necessary equipment to school marshals.
Contention
The bill does raise points of contention, particularly regarding its implications for gun control and school safety standards. Supporters believe that having armed marshals could deter potential threats and ensure a quicker response during emergencies. On the other hand, critics argue that introducing more firearms into school environments might pose additional risks and that bolstering mental health services and conflict resolution strategies could be more effective ways to ensure children's safety. Furthermore, the provision of funding for weapons and training may be seen as prioritizing firearms over educational resources.
Notable_points
Another essential component of the legislation is the emphasis on informing schools about the authority to appoint marshals and the supportive resources available through the proposed grant programs. The promotion program aims to encourage their adoption among educational institutions, which suggests that the bill is not only about financial support but also about gaining acceptance and understanding among school administrators regarding the role and benefits of appointing school marshals.
Relating to school marshals, including eligibility for appointment as a school marshal, licensure and training requirements, and school marshal uniforms or badges.
Relating to a memorandum of understanding between public or private primary or secondary schools authorizing a school marshal of one school to act as a school marshal at the other school during an event at which both schools participate.
Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including the establishment of a school safety grant program and a school safety plan implementation grant program, and the allocation of certain constitutional transfers of money to the state school safety fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.
Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.