Tennessee 28th District Capitol Hill Week in Review

Efforts to enhance school security lead the week on Capitol

 
Series: Tennessee 28th District Update | Story 119

April 13, 2023



One week after the deadly attack on the Covenant School in Nashville, Republican lawmakers and Governor Bill Lee announced additional actions to strengthen safety at public and private schools across Tennessee. These measures include enhanced legislation and more than $200 million to place an armed security guard at every Tennessee public school, boost physical security at public and private schools, and provide additional mental health resources for Tennesseans.

School security has been a priority for lawmakers over recent years, with comprehensive legislation proposed this year that would strengthen security at every public school in the state and enhance accountability in school safety protocol. Additionally, the Governor’s initial budget proposal included $30 million for 122 Homeland Security agents to serve students at both public and private schools in every Tennessee county.

On Tuesday, Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson presented Governor Lee’s amended budget proposal which included:

$30 million to expand a statewide homeland security network with 122 agents serving students at both public and private schools

$140 million to establish a School Resource Officer (SRO) grant fund to place a trained, armed security guard at every public school

$20 million for public school security upgrades

$7 million for private school security upgrades

$8 million for additional school-based behavioral health liaisons across the state

The Senate Education Committee passed enhanced school safety legislation, Senate Bill 274, that would:

Enact a multi-tiered accountability plan to require exterior doors of public and private schools are locked while students are present, with opportunities for corrective action. State and local law enforcement will be authorized to check for unlocked doors.

Require that private security guards are held to a high standard and receive active shooter training prior to being posted at Tennessee schools.

Require every public and private school to develop annual safety plans, which must include a newly required incident command drill for school leaders and law enforcement to prepare for what to expect in various emergencies.

Require all newly-built schools to install classroom door locks and secure vestibules for visitor entry.

Require the installation of a clear bullet-resistant or entry-resistant film on the glass panel of any exterior entry or basement-level window to prevent individuals from entering who are not allowed.

Require camera systems to continuously monitor each entrance hallway and communal area.

Requires school districts to share their annual safety plans, floor plans and access to security systems with law enforcement

Governor Lee and the General Assembly are making great strides on school safety to approve these changes as we continue to focus on solutions to mitigate tragedies like those of last week.

There is nothing more important than the safety of our students and we appreciate Governor Lee for his work on this comprehensive school security plan and look forward to working on this proposal to provide safe learning environments for all students, regardless of where they go to school. Strong security, which includes armed SROs, is imperative to ensuring the safety of students, teachers and staff and proposing a significant investment in school-based mental health liaisons to provide important services to those experiencing mental health crises. There are 1807 public schools in Tennessee, and this bill affects every single one of them.

Zero tolerance for threatening school violence

This week, the Senate passed Senate Bill 190, which expands what constitutes a zero-tolerance offense to include threatening mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity. A violation would result in a student being expelled from school for at least one calendar year. It would be up to the local director of schools or the head of a charter school to determine whether the expelled student must attend an alternative school or virtual classes. Other zero-tolerance offenses include bringing a firearm onto school property; committing aggravated assault or assault that results in bodily injury to a school employee; or is in unlawful possession of any drug, including any controlled substance, on school grounds or at a school-sponsored event. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.

Contact Senator Hensley at

425 5th Avenue North, Suite 746

Nashville TN 37243

615-741-3100

Toll Free 1-800-449-8366

ext. 13100

Fax 615-253-0231

855 Summertown Highway

Hohenwald TN 38462

Phone 931-796-2018

Cell Phone 931-212-8823

E-mail:

[email protected]

 

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