Press Release
Rep. Nancy Mace has released the following statement on her co-sponsorship of the Student and Teacher Safety Act, introduced by Rep. Grothman (R-WI-06), and Secure Every School and Protect our Nation's Children (STOP II) Act, introduced by Rep. Hudson (R-NC-08):
“Our students and teachers should never worry about whether they will come out of the school day alive or not. I have cosponsored the Student and Teacher Safety Act, which will provide for improvements in the safety of our schools,” says Rep. Mace.
“More resources need to be implemented into our schools to ensure our students are safe when they step onto school grounds. The Secure Every School and Protect our Nation’s Children (STOP II) Act will be paid for through unused COVID-19 funds and will help provide necessary preventative measures.”
Background on the Secure Every School and Protect our Nation’s Children (STOP II) Act:
A total of 7 billion dollars of unused COVID-19 funds will be used in the form of school resources officers, mental health guidance counselors, strengthening schools, and adequate active shooter training for law enforcement and school campuses.
Background on the Student and Teacher Safety Act:
The Student and Teacher Safety Act would use existing federal grant money to appropriate to states, who would then make a number of improvements to school campuses.
School improvements can include:
- Physical improvements to the school to prevent and deter unauthorized access to the school, including locks, double entry systems, hardened entrances, and interior and exterior video surveillance systems
- Security doors, automatic locks, security glass, alarm systems, metal detectors, and sensor systems
- Emergency communications systems including geographically precise mobile alert systems
- Perimeter fencing
- Emergency exit systems
- Duress or panic systems
- Emergency tip lines
- Other physical improvements to existing facilities where the primary purpose is to improve school safety
