Two U.S. senators have introduced bipartisan legislation that would establish a federally funded and housed information clearinghouse detailing best practices for school security and design.
U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-Ga.) and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) say the School Safety Clearinghouse Act would collect and make available to schools across the nation safety recommendations from engineers, architects, first responders, building security experts, and mental health advocates.
“I believe the first step to improving school security is addressing the structural safety of schools,” says Perdue. “Our bill would simply create a resource where state and local officials can find best practices for school security and design. Ultimately, it will allow parents, teachers, and administrators to make informed decisions about the best ways to keep their schools and communities safe.”
As a result of the STOP School Violence Act, passed by Congress in the aftermath of the 2018 Parkland, Fla., shooting deaths, many school districts now have access to state and federal funding to improve school security.
The clearinghouse would be managed by the Department of Homeland Security. It would not advocate for specific technologies or tools or impose any mandates on school districts.
The legislation follows the Federal Commission on School Safety’s December 2018 recommendation of a federal clearinghouse to assess, identify, and share information on school security technology and innovation.
