School Safety Enhancements Act of 2013 Moved Out of Committee

School Safety Enhancements Act of 2013 Moved Out of Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted today to approve the School Safety Enhancements Act of 2013 (S. 146). Sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), and supported by the Security Industry Association (SIA), the measure passed the committee with bipartisan support.

The legislation is also supported by the National Education Association, the American Association of School Administrators, the Association of Education Service Agencies, the National Rural Education Association, and the Rural Education Advocacy Association.

As amended, the legislation would provide $40 million annually to communities and schools to install a wide variety of security solutions, including cameras, controlled access systems and other life-safety products. It would also help schools conduct security assessments and training for students, teachers and administrators, as well as help schools better coordinate with local law enforcement agencies.

Local communities and schools would apply for the Secure Our Schools grants through the Department of Justice (DOJ), with federal resources matched by local governments.

The bill would create a DOJ and Department of Education joint task force to develop advisory guidelines that would ensure the safety of children in K-12 schools, and it would establish a National Center for Campus Public Safety to help colleges and universities protect students.

“Local school officials are in the best position to make final decisions on how to use federal resources,” said SIA’s CEO, Don Erickson. “This legislation will reauthorize the successful Secure Our Schools Program, a program that has gone unfunded for the past two years. As a parent of school-aged children, I am pleased to see the Senate act swiftly and in a bipartisan manner.”

The legislation will next move to the Senate floor where passage is expected.

Featured

  • Progressing in Capabilities

    Progressing in Capabilities

    Hazardous areas within industries like oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and the like, have long-sought reliable video surveillance cameras and equipment that can operate safely in these harsh and unpredictable environments. Read Now

  • A Comprehensive Nationwide Solution

    A Comprehensive Nationwide Solution

    Across the United States, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, truck yards, parking lots and car dealerships all have a common concern. They are targets for catalytic converters. In nearly every region, cases of catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed. Read Now

  • Planning for Your Perimeter

    Planning for Your Perimeter

    The perimeter is an organization’s first line of defense and a critical element of any security and surveillance program. Even if a building’s interior or exterior security is strong, without a solid perimeter surveillance approach any company or business is vulnerable. Read Now

  • The Key Issue

    The Key Issue

    It is February 2014. A woman is getting ready in her room on a cruise ship when she hears a knock on the door; it is a crewmember delivering breakfast. She is not presentable so she tells him to leave it by the door. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • Genetec Security Center

    Genetec Security Center

    This major new release allows more system components to run in the cloud, reducing the gap between cloud and on-premises security systems. It also makes it easier to connect external systems and tap external data for use in dashboards, maps and investigations without relying on complex, specialized integrations. 3

  • VideoEdge 2U High Capacity Network Video Recorder

    VideoEdge 2U High Capacity Network Video Recorder

    Johnson Controls announces a powerful recording solution to meet demanding requirements with its VideoEdge 2U High Capacity Network Video Recorder. This solution combines the powerful capabilities of victor with the intelligence of VideoEdge NVRs, fueled by Tyco Artificial Intelligence, for video management that provides actionable insights to save time, money and lives. 3

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3