A panel of Texas state lawmakers received an update on the sweeping school safety legislation approved in 2023. Texas House Bill 3 requires the state’s 1,207 school districts and charters to, among other things, have an armed officer at every one of the nearly 9,000 campuses statewide during regular school hours. John P. Scott, the school safety and security Chief at the Texas Education Agency (TEA) says, “Approximately 45% of schools across the state are compliant. Compliant with HB 3 is that they have a Texas peace officer on every campus.”
Scott spoke before the Texas House Select Committee on Youth Health & Safety last week [Wednesday, September 18]. Republican and Democratic committee members expressed their concerns that the law amounted to an unfunded mandate. The legislation only provides $15,000 in funding per campus.
Others questioned the overall approach to safety. Texas State Representative Ann Johnson (D-Houston) says putting the focus on school security rather than restrictions on gun access misses the point. “We’re talking a lot about all the things we do and it’s like talking about the symptoms of poison oak without talking about poison oak.”
Both chambers of the Texas legislature passed HB 3 on May 28, 2023, just four days after the one-year anniversary of the Uvalde mass shooting at Robb Elementary school on May 24, 2022, which killed 19 students and 2 teachers, while injuring 17 others.
The legislation also requires school safety officers to complete an ‘active shooter’ training program. That also includes de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, firearm proficiency, and collaboration with local law enforcement. Staff members who interact with children must receive mental health training. HB 3 also requires:
* All classrooms must have a silent panic button that connects directly to law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency services.
* Beyond the $15,000 allotted per campus, funding also includes $10 for each student in average daily attendance. (5.5 million Students in Texas Public Schools)
* Districts must provide an up-to-date map of their school campuses to local law enforcement, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and local first responders.
* Districts must contact parents and other select people when violence occurs or is being investigated at school campuses, facilities, or district-sponsored activities.
* Districts can hire armed security officers from a security company, local law enforcement, or commission their own peace officers.
* Districts that cannot comply with the armed security officer requirement can apply for a "good cause exception" and find an alternative plan. Districts are not required to report compliance.
