Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the School Security Enhancement Act, legislation that would allow Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grants to be awarded to local communities for measures that reinforce evidence-based school safety technology and infrastructure. Sen. Cruz previously introduced this bill in 2018 and 2019.
Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said:
“I’m proud to introduce this legislation to empower schools and local leaders to make America’s classrooms safer. Expanding the use of SSAE grants will equip schools with additional resources to prevent tragedies and let education and local leaders choose the safety infrastructure technologies that work best in their communities.”
BACKGROUND
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.
