SAFE School Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8506
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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
- 2026-05-18T17:25:59Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Securing Aid for Every School Act (or SAFE School Act, H.R. 8506) aims to enhance security in elementary and secondary schools by creating a federal grant program. It focuses on training and hiring veterans and former law enforcement officers as school safety officers (personnel dedicated to school protection) and funding physical security upgrades.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program: The U.S. Attorney General must establish grants through the Office of Justice Programs for states (including the 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico) and local educational agencies (LEAs, such as school districts).
- Eligible Activities:
- Create or run state certification, licensure, or training programs for veterans and former law enforcement officers to become school safety officers (may include firearm or de-escalation training).
- Hire these trained individuals, or off-duty law enforcement officers, as school safety officers.
- Install security infrastructure, such as:
- Metal detectors, X-ray machines, fencing, gates, and surveillance cameras.
- Door security features like passcodes, locks, peepholes, and automatic mechanisms.
- Bullet-resistant or forced-entry glass.
- Emergency tools like better lighting, call boxes, alerts, and generators.
- Restrictions on Federal Role:
- No interference: Federal officials cannot block, discourage, or add requirements to these activities or training content.
- Nondiscrimination: Grants available regardless of whether schools are public/private, religiously affiliated, or already receive funding for school resource officers.
- Funding: Authorizes $900 million in appropriations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new dedicated grant program not previously specified in federal law, expanding federal support for school security beyond existing programs.
- Explicitly prioritizes hiring veterans and former law enforcement, with state-led training (no federal mandates on content).
- Prohibits federal overreach into state/local decisions, a new safeguard against conditions on fund use.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload and funding for the Department of Justice (Attorney General's office); provides states/LEAs with new resources for security without added federal rules.
- Citizens: Improves school safety for students, teachers, and families through better personnel and infrastructure; creates job opportunities for veterans and former officers.
- No direct international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders
- States and LEAs: Primary recipients of grants to implement programs.
- Schools: Public, private, and religious elementary/secondary schools benefit from security upgrades.
- Veterans and Former Law Enforcement: Targeted for training and hiring as school safety officers.
- Students, Teachers, and Parents: Gain from enhanced school protections.
- Federal Government: Department of Justice administers grants.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Federalism: Reinforces state/local control by barring federal interference, aligning with principles of limited federal power over education and policing.
- Nondiscrimination Clause: Protects religious schools' access to funds, potentially addressing First Amendment concerns about faith-based entities.
- No Supplants Existing Law: Builds on terms from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) without altering it.
- Firearms Training: Allows (but does not require) firearm training, which could raise Second Amendment or gun policy debates, though it emphasizes state discretion.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Securing Aid for Every School Act — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (5 pages)