Texas Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Panic Buttons in Classrooms to Enhance School Safety and Stop School Shootings
The Texas Legislature has taken a major step to enhance school safety by passing a bill that requires silent panic buttons in classrooms across the state. The new law comes just days after the first anniversary of a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School. The bill, known as House Bill 3, was passed by a vote of 119-25 and is one of several safety measures aimed at improving school safety in Texas.
One of the key provisions of the new law is the installation of silent panic buttons in classrooms. These buttons will allow teachers and other school personnel to alert law enforcement in the event of an emergency. In addition, the bill requires the hiring of at least one armed security officer at every campus, and incentives for administrators and other school employees to carry a weapon.
Before its passage, the bill was amended to increase school funding for security purposes. The executive director of the Texas School Alliance, HD Chambers, welcomed the funding, saying that access to mental health services is as important as any effort to harden campuses. He added that each school district is unique and needs the resources and flexibility to enact solutions that work for its community.
The funding includes $100 per student who regularly attends classes, and an additional $15,000 each year. The total cost of the bill was subsequently raised from $300 million to about $1.6 billion. The proposal also requires regular safety inspections of school buildings. If a school fails to comply with safety measures, the state will provide its students with a grant to attend another school.
Another bill that cleared the Texas House offers stipends of up to $25,000 to staff members who choose to become armed campus “sentinels” in addition to their regular duties. While Texas already allows licensed teachers to carry firearms, the new proposal requires armed personnel to undergo training in identifying students who need mental health resources.
In conclusion, the Texas Legislature has taken an important step towards enhancing school safety with the passage of House Bill 3. The installation of panic buttons in classrooms, along with other safety measures and increased funding for mental health services, will help create a safer learning environment for students and staff.