HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE NO. 1

FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 335

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ESTABLISHING A SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY FUND.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 41, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strikethrough and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4137. Delaware School Safety and Security Fund

(a) There is hereby created the Delaware School Safety and Security Fund to provide partial or full funding to eligible public schools for projects intended to improve school safety or security. The fund shall initially be funded with five (5) million dollars, and shall thereafter be subject to available appropriations. The Controller General shall maintain a list of all eligible schools. Eligible schools shall be limited to high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools.

(b) The Department of Education shall administer the Delaware School Safety and Security fund to provide funding to public schools for certain expenses incurred on or after the effective date of this Act for projects intended to improve school safety or security. The School District Board shall determine which items to apply such funds to and the following expenses shall be considered eligible for such funds:

1. Camera and monitoring equipment.

2. Vestibule improvements to include framing, glass, hardware, and doors.

3. Panic button hardware or software to include electronic software applications and technology, cell phone technology and applications.

4. Door locks, window locks, or similar items.

5. Magnet security systems.

6. Swipe card systems.

7. Visitor pass cameras and security systems.

8. Door jamb opening sensors.

9. Active shooter training.

10. Motion detectors.

11. Security lighting.

12. Bus camera security systems.

13. Bus GPS location systems.

14. Restraint training.

(c) The funds appropriated to the Delaware School Safety and Security Fund shall be distributed on a prorate basis to each school district based on the number of schools a district has on the Controller General’s list of all eligible schools.

Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon a specific annual appropriation in the Annual Appropriations Act.

SYNOPSIS

This Act establishes the Delaware School Safety and Security Fund to allow certain eligible public schools to partially or fully fund projects intended to improve school facilities and training relating to safety or security. The Department of Education shall administer the fund. This Act is effective upon appropriation.