Securing Our Schools Act of 2023

Securing Our Schools Act of 2023

This bill provides funding and resources to (1) strengthen security on school premises, and (2) provide access to student mental health resources. It also generally prohibits the use of federal funding provided by this bill for abortions.

Specifically, the bill provides specified funds through FY2033 to the Department of Education (ED) for Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants. It also directs ED to use a portion of these funds to strengthen security on school premises.

The bill reauthorizes through FY2029 the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and revises the program, including by increasing grant amounts for administrative costs and technical assistance.

Further, the bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to be used to pay for school resource officers and improve physical security at schools.

Additionally, the bill transfers

• specified funds under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act to ED to establish the Student Access to Mental Health Program Fund, through which ED must award grants to states to support the salary of a mental health professional in eligible schools; and
• specified unobligated funds under the ARP Act to support certain mental health programs of ED, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study on mental health providers in schools.

The bill transfers specified unobligated funds that were provided to address COVID-19 to ED to carry out this bill.

The Securing Our Schools Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 hr 2479, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of enhancing security measures in schools across the country. The bill focuses on providing funding and resources to improve school safety and prevent acts of violence on school grounds.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the allocation of funds for the installation of security equipment, such as surveillance cameras, metal detectors, and alarm systems, in schools. This is intended to help school administrators and law enforcement officials better monitor and respond to potential threats.

Additionally, the Securing Our Schools Act of 2023 includes provisions for training school personnel on emergency response protocols and implementing threat assessment programs to identify and address potential risks before they escalate. The bill also emphasizes the importance of promoting mental health awareness and providing support services for students who may be at risk of engaging in violent behavior. Overall, the Securing Our Schools Act of 2023 aims to create a safer and more secure environment for students, teachers, and staff in schools across the United States. By investing in security measures, training, and support services, the bill seeks to prevent acts of violence and ensure that schools remain places of learning and growth.