School safety improvements in Senate Bill 1 moved a step closer to becoming law Wednesday after being amended and passed by the Kentucky House of Representatives by a 96-3 vote.
According to a release, the top legislative priority of 2019 Kentucky General Assembly leaders is the result of months of work by a legislative School Safety Working Group formed after the 2018 shooting deaths of two students at Marshall County High School. The legislation would boost school safety by improving the type of personnel, systems and structures and student culture in Kentucky’s schools. Included among the improvements would be the creation of the position of state school safety marshal, whose role would be similar to that of a state fire marshal.
In addition, expansion of the use of school resource offices, or SROs, would also be part of the bill, as would enhanced mental health services and a statewide school safety tip line, among other provisions.
Senate Bill 1 does not include funding for its provisions. Legislators say the funding is expected to be approved during the General Assembly’s 2020 budget session next winter.
Senate Bill 1 was approved by the state Senate earlier this month by a 35-0 vote. After the House approval of the amended legislation Wednesday, the bill now goes back to the Senate to see if members agree with the changes.
