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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 Foundation School Program. |
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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 in accordance with the |
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requirements of Section 37.351, including: |
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(A) improvements to school infrastructure; |
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(B) the use or installation of perimeter security |
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fencing conducive to a public school learning environment or |
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physical barriers, which may not include razor wire; |
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(C) exterior door and window safety and security |
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upgrades, including exterior door numbering and locking systems and |
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security film that provides resistance to a forced entry; and |
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(D) the purchase and maintenance of: |
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(i) security cameras and, if the district |
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has already installed security cameras, other security equipment, |
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including video surveillance as provided by Section 29.022; and |
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(ii) technology, including communications |
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systems or devices, such as silent panic alert devices, two-way |
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radios, or wireless Internet booster equipment, that facilitates |
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communication and information sharing between students, school |
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personnel, and first responders in 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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(3) school safety and security measures, 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, chaplains, and individuals trained in restorative |
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discipline and restorative justice practices; |
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(ii) providing mental health personnel and |
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support, including chaplains; |
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(iii) providing behavioral health |
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services, including services provided by chaplains; |
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(iv) establishing threat reporting |
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systems; [and] |
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(v) providing professional development for |
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educators that includes training in classroom behavioral |
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management; and |
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(vi) 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, including |
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support provided by chaplains; |
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(4) providing programs related to suicide prevention, |
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intervention, and postvention, including programs provided by |
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chaplains; and |
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(5) employing a school safety director and other |
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personnel to manage and monitor school safety initiatives and the |
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implementation of school safety requirements for the district. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |