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Bill

S 419

An Act creating a school resource officer grant program and fund

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steven Howitt and 8 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill establishing state grant program to fund school resource officer positions in public schools, expanding police presence in K-12 buildings.

Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2
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Bill Summary · S 419

Legislative bill overview

S 419 establishes a grant program and dedicated fund to support the placement and operation of school resource officers (SROs) in Massachusetts public schools. The bill creates a mechanism for state funding to help districts hire and maintain SROs, who are law enforcement officers assigned to school buildings to address safety and security concerns.

Why is this important

School safety is a persistent policy concern, particularly following high-profile incidents of school violence. This bill directly addresses how Massachusetts funds law enforcement presence in schools, which affects budget decisions for hundreds of school districts and shapes the security environment for roughly 900,000 K-12 students statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • School-to-prison pipeline concerns: Critics argue SRO programs increase arrest rates for minor infractions and disproportionately affect students of color, potentially criminalizing childhood behavioral issues rather than addressing underlying causes
  • Mental health vs. law enforcement: Debate over whether armed officers or counselors/social workers are more appropriate responses to student crises and whether funding for SROs diverts resources from mental health professionals in schools
  • Equity and access: Questions about whether a grant program adequately serves under-resourced districts or whether well-funded districts will capture most funding, creating disparities in school security approaches

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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