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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the permissible uses of the school safety allotment |
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under the public school finance system. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 48.115(b), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) Funds allocated under this section must be used to |
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improve school safety and security, including costs associated |
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with: |
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(1) securing school facilities, including: |
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(A) improvements to school infrastructure; |
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(B) the use or installation of physical barriers; |
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and |
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(C) the purchase and maintenance of: |
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(i) security cameras or other security |
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equipment; and |
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(ii) technology, including communications |
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systems or devices, that facilitates communication and information |
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sharing between students, school personnel, and first responders in |
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an emergency; |
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(2) providing security for the district, including: |
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(A) employing school district peace officers, |
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private security officers, and school marshals; [and] |
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(B) collaborating with local law enforcement |
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agencies, such as entering into a memorandum of understanding for |
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the assignment of school resource officers to schools in the |
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district; |
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(C) providing stipends to employees who are |
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authorized under the written regulations or written authorization |
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of the district to carry a firearm on the physical premises of the |
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district in accordance with Section 46.03(a)(1)(A), Penal Code; and |
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(D) reimbursing expenses incurred by retired |
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peace officers or honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces |
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of the United States in providing security services as a volunteer |
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at the district; |
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(3) school safety and security training and planning, |
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including: |
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(A) active shooter and emergency response |
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training; |
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(B) prevention and treatment programs relating |
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to addressing adverse childhood experiences; and |
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(C) the prevention, identification, and |
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management of emergencies and threats, using evidence-based, |
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effective prevention practices and including: |
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(i) providing licensed counselors, social |
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workers, and individuals trained in restorative discipline and |
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restorative justice practices; |
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(ii) providing mental health personnel and |
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support; |
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(iii) providing behavioral health |
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services; |
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(iv) establishing threat reporting |
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systems; and |
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(v) developing and implementing programs |
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focused on restorative justice practices, culturally relevant |
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instruction, and providing mental health support; and |
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(4) providing programs related to suicide prevention, |
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intervention, and postvention. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |