Rep. Rutherford Pushes Bipartisan School Safety Bill Ahead Of Expected U.S. House Vote
Florida Congressman John Rutherford (R-FL) says his bipartisan-supported bill to stop school violence would help students, teachers and school administrators more easily identify and report signs of trouble to prevent school shootings. House leadership announced today that a vote will take place on that bill next week.
“[This bill] addresses the physical plant itself, the school building, and how we can harden that target, while addressing educating students, teachers and officers on what are the warning signs to look for,” says Rutherford.
He says the bill also provides for an anonymous tip line, so that when someone sees something suspicious, they’ll know who to call. He says the bill also does provide for some mental health assistance at schools.
Part of the funding includes $50 million annually for state and local evidence-based school threat assessment teams, among other things.
Rutherford’s bill, the “Student, Teachers and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018”, or STOP, is getting support across party lines from colleagues Ted Deutch (D-FL), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Hal Rogers (R-KY).
A similar bill has been filed in the U.S. Senate as well.
By: Mark Jackson
Source: News 104.5 WOKV