This State Will Have Armed Security At All Public Schools

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation that requires all public schools to have at least one armed security officer or armed school personnel at each campus across the state.

The law becomes effective September 1, 2023.

Gov. Greg Abbott signs new law mandating armed security at all Texas schools

Thoughts?https://t.co/HkAma1s5Yx

— Young Americans for Liberty (@YALiberty) June 16, 2023

“I’m glad my tax money is going towards that. I support it,” April Reyna, a San Antonio resident, said.

KSAT provided details:

This new law would allot $330 million to build security centers on campuses. Legislators in Austin claim this new law will strengthen the state’s School Safety Center, responsible for disseminating safety information to all schools. The law will also mandate annual audits of school protocol and require staff members to get mental health training.

“We have to provide the support systems to our personnel working in our communities,” San Antonio resident Jenny Kazmierczak said.

Some people believe adding armed personnel to campuses would increase protection.

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“I think if we have the good guys armed, I think it would minimize deaths,” Reyna said.

However, others disagree.

“I hope that there are other measures to address this problem. This is not the isolated solution,” Kazmierczak said.

WATCH:

Gov. Greg Abbott signs new law mandating armed security at all Texas schools
Abbott signed school safety House Bill 3 into law Tuesday in Austin

SAN ANTONIO – Security at your child’s school will look different this upcoming school year.

During a meeting at the capital, Gov.… pic.twitter.com/0XoJ7P4WMW

— Mariana (@lonestarherd) June 17, 2023

House Bill 3 states:

The board of trustees of any school district may:

(1)employ or contract with security personnel;

(2) enter into a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency or a county or municipality that is the employing political subdivision of commissioned peace officers for the provision of school resource officers;

(3) for the purposes of providing security personnel, contract with a security services contractor licensed under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, for the provision of a commissioned security officer, as defined by Section 1702.002, Occupations Code, who has completed the Level II or III training course required by the Department of Public Safety; and

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(4) commission peace officers to carry out this subchapter.

It also states:

Sec.22.904.MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a school district shall require each district employee who regularly interacts with students enrolled at the district to complete an evidence-based mental health training program designed to provide instruction to participants regarding the recognition and support of children and youth who experience a mental health or substance use issue that may pose a threat to school safety.