IMPROVE Safety for Schools Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6965

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Taxation

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-07: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2026-01-08T16:52:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The IMPROVE Safety for Schools Act (H.R. 6965) aims to promote gun safety education for parents through schools, provide financial incentives for purchasing secure gun storage devices, and strengthen overall school safety measures. It encourages local schools to inform families about safe firearm handling while enhancing training, mental health support, and outreach to prevent violence in educational settings.

Key Provisions

• Guidance and Notices on Gun Safety (Section 2): The U.S. Secret Service must issue guidance to local educational agencies (LEAs, such as school districts) that receive federal funding. This guidance helps LEAs create notices advising parents on buying and using "gun safety devices" (defined as secure storage or safety mechanisms for firearms, like locks or safes, per federal law). The guidance includes a suggested deadline for preparing notices, recommendations for device sizes based on firearm types, and details on a new tax credit. LEAs must distribute these notices to parents of enrolled students.

• Secure Firearm Tax Credit (Section 3): Introduces a new non-refundable tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code (Section 25G) for individuals with a qualifying child (under age 17) or dependent. The credit covers 75% of costs for buying a qualifying firearm safety device (one with a serial number meeting federal standards), up to $300 per year. It phases out for higher earners (starting at $75,000 adjusted gross income for singles, with adjustments for joint filers or heads of household). Taxpayers must submit receipts or serial numbers to claim it, but the IRS cannot ask about gun ownership details to protect privacy. The credit applies to purchases after December 31, 2025, and ends for devices bought after December 31, 2030.

• Privacy Protections for Tax Credit (Section 4): Amends tax code rules (Section 6103) to bar the IRS from sharing information about this credit with other federal agencies. It also prohibits creating or disclosing lists of claimants that could identify individuals.

• Enhanced School Safety Activities (Section 5): Updates the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to require states receiving federal education funds to support:
• De-escalation training (techniques to calm potentially violent situations without physical force) for teachers, administrators, and staff, delivered by certified providers like law enforcement.
• School safety specialist roles (full- or part-time) in LEAs and schools to liaise with state/federal agencies, secure grants for physical safety improvements, and build ties with local police.
• For students expelled for bringing weapons to school, states must offer free confidential mental health services (via phone or virtual means) to the student and parents if they lack financial resources.

• Standardized Training for School Resource Officers (Section 6): Expresses Congress's view that states receiving federal law enforcement grants should create uniform training programs for school resource officers (armed officers in schools), set by the governor and state police. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to allow grant funds for implementing such programs in states lacking them.

• Social Media Outreach (Section 7): Within 180 days of enactment, the Departments of Education, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and the Attorney General must expand the SchoolSafety.gov website's social media to platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, Discord, and Instagram. Content must include the gun safety guidance from Section 2.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Tax Code Additions: Creates a new targeted credit (Section 25G) for gun safety devices, the first of its kind focused on secure storage, with built-in privacy safeguards not previously specified for similar credits.
• ESEA Amendments: Expands state obligations under school safety grants (Section 4104) to include de-escalation training and safety specialists; adds a definition for de-escalation training (Section 4102); and mandates mental health services for expelled students (Section 8561), extending beyond current expulsion rules.
• Crime Control Act Update: Adds a new use for federal grants (Section 1701) to fund school officer training, promoting standardization where none existed.
• Tax Privacy Rules: Strengthens Section 6103 by explicitly prohibiting disclosures and identifiable lists related to this credit, enhancing protections against government tracking of firearm-related purchases.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Secret Service (guidance development), IRS (administering credit and privacy rules), and Departments of Education, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services (outreach and grant oversight). States and LEAs gain new tools for safety but face added distribution and training requirements.
• On Citizens: Parents with children in public schools receive gun safety information and potential tax savings (up to $300/year) for storage devices, encouraging safer home firearm practices. Expelled students and families benefit from accessible mental health support. No direct international effects, as it focuses on domestic education and tax policy.
• On Schools and Communities: Promotes proactive violence prevention through training and specialists, potentially reducing incidents; however, it may strain school budgets if federal funds are insufficient.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Parents and Families: Primary recipients of notices and tax benefits, especially those with school-aged children or dependents.
• Local Educational Agencies and Schools: Required to distribute notices, implement training, and possibly hire specialists.
• States and Law Enforcement: Must expand safety programs, provide mental health services, and develop officer training using federal grants.
• Federal Agencies: Secret Service, IRS, Education, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Justice Department handle guidance, enforcement, and outreach.
• School Resource Officers and Staff: Gain access to standardized training and new roles in safety coordination.
• Firearm Owners: Indirectly encouraged to use safety devices without facing ownership disclosures.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Privacy and Second Amendment Considerations: The bill emphasizes non-intrusive tax administration, prohibiting IRS inquiries into gun details, which aligns with constitutional privacy rights (e.g., Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches) and avoids creating registries that could raise Second Amendment concerns about firearm regulation.
• Federalism Balance: Encourages but does not mandate state actions (e.g., training programs via "sense of Congress"), respecting state authority while tying enhancements to existing federal funding streams.
• Political Neutrality: Focuses on education and incentives rather than restrictions, potentially bridging divides on gun policy by prioritizing child safety in schools and homes without altering ownership laws. No major constitutional challenges evident, but implementation could face debates over funding allocation and efficacy in reducing school violence.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-07: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-01-07: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-01-07: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-01-07: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-07: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Incentivize Motivated Parents with Responsible Options for Vital Education Safety for Schools Act — issued 2026-01-07 — PDF (11 pages)