86R8622 MEW-F
By: Bonnen of Galveston H.B. No. 1754
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating a school safety allotment under the foundation
school program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 37.108, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) In a school district's safety and security audit
required under Subsection (b), the district must certify that the
district used the funds provided to the district through the school
safety allotment under Section 42.168 only for the purposes
provided by that section.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 42, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 42.168 to read as follows:
Sec. 42.168. SCHOOL SAFETY ALLOTMENT. (a) A school
district is entitled to an annual allotment of $50, or a greater
amount provided by appropriation, for each student in average daily
attendance.
(b) Funds allocated under this section must be used to
improve school safety and security, including costs associated
with:
(1) securing school facilities, including:
(A) improvements to school infrastructure;
(B) the use or installation of physical barriers;
and
(C) the purchase and maintenance of security
cameras or other security equipment;
(2) providing security for the district, including:
(A) employing school district peace officers,
private security officers, and school marshals; and
(B) collaborating with local law enforcement
agencies, such as entering into a memorandum of understanding for
the assignment of school resource officers to schools in the
district; and
(3) school safety and security training and planning,
including:
(A) active shooter and emergency response
training; and
(B) prevention and treatment programs relating
to addressing adverse childhood experiences.
(c) A school district that is required to take action under
Chapter 41 to reduce its wealth per student to the equalized wealth
level is entitled to a credit, in the amount of the allotments to
which the district is entitled under this section, against the
total amount required under Section 41.093 for the district to
purchase attendance credits.
(d) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this
section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.