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HR 8506

SAFE School Act

119th Congress Introduced by Chuck Fleischmann

The SAFE School Act creates federal grants for states/LEAs to boost K-12 security through trained school safety officers, upgrades, and emergency readiness.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8506

Summary of Bill: H.R. 8506 — SAFE School Act (119th Congress)

  • Bill introduced: April 27, 2026
  • Sponsor: Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (co-sponsor)
  • Committees: House Education and Workforce; House Judiciary
  • Purpose: Establish a federal grant program to improve K-12 school security, including training/hiring veterans and former law enforcement as school safety officers, and funding for security infrastructure and emergency readiness improvements.

1) Main Purpose and Intent

The SAFE School Act aims to bolster school safety in elementary and secondary schools by:
- Providing funding to states and local educational agencies to implement comprehensive school security measures.
- Supporting the recruitment and training of veterans and former law enforcement officers as school safety officers.
- Improving security infrastructure and emergency readiness across school facilities.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Establishment of a Federal Grant Program

  • The Attorney General would create a grant program within the Office of Justice Programs.
  • Grants would be awarded to States and local educational agencies (LEAs) to support eligible activities described in the bill.

B. Eligible Activities (Subsection (c))

  1. Training and Certification

    • States can establish or implement a State certification/licensure program or other required training to prepare veterans or former law enforcement officers to serve as school safety officers.
    • Training may include firearm training and de-escalation training.

  2. Hiring of School Safety Officers

    • States may hire veterans or former law enforcement officers (who completed the state certification/licensure) or off-duty law enforcement officers to serve as school safety officers in elementary and secondary schools.

  3. School Security Upgrades and Technology

    • Physical security enhancements, including:
      • Access control: metal detectors, X-ray machines, fencing/gating, surveillance cameras or systems.
      • Door security: external passcodes, interior locks, classroom door peepholes, automatic door locking mechanisms, and access-controlled doors.
      • Exterior glass security: reinforced/forced-entry or bullet-resistant glass.
      • Overall security improvements to the building envelope and grounds.
    • Emergency readiness improvements, such as:
      • Increased lighting on school grounds.
      • Emergency call boxes and alerts.
      • Emergency generators.

C. Federal Non-Interference (Subsection (d))

  • When awarding grants, the Attorney General may not:
    • Prevent or discourage use of grant funds for authorized security activities.
    • Impose requirements regarding the content/structure of state certification/licensing programs.
    • Enforce grant terms in a way that would block eligible security activities by states or LEAs.

D. Non-Discrimination (Subsection (e))

  • Grants awarded without regard to:
    • Whether the recipient is a public or private school.
    • Religious affiliation of the school.
    • Whether the school receives federal or state funding for school resource officers.

E. Authorization of Appropriations (Subsection (f))

  • The bill authorizes $900,000,000 for fiscal years to carry out this section.

3) Who/What Would Be Affected

  • States and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs): Eligible to apply for and receive grants to fund training, hiring, and security improvements.
  • Veterans and Former Law Enforcement Officers: Potentially hired as school safety officers through state certification/licensure programs.
  • Elementary and Secondary Schools: Benefit from security infrastructure upgrades, access control measures, and enhanced emergency readiness.
  • School Communities: Students, staff, and families—through potentially improved safety measures and response capabilities.

4) Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Legal status: The bill has been introduced and referred to the House committees (Education and Workforce; Judiciary). No enacted law date is provided.
  • Funding timeline: The bill authorizes a total of $900 million, but no specifics on duration (multi-year vs. annual authorization) are provided in the text excerpt.
  • Implementation: Requires the Attorney General to establish the grant program and administer awards to States/LEAs, with flexibility for state-driven certification/licensing processes.

Notes for Readers

  • The bill emphasizes a balance between professional security personnel (veterans/officers) and non-discriminatory access to funding.
  • It allows states autonomy in designing certification/licensing programs and potential training approaches, including de-escalation and fire-arms training, depending on state requirements.
  • There is a clear focus on both personnel and physical security enhancements, as well as emergency preparedness features.

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

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