Sec. 42.168. SCHOOL SAFETY ALLOTMENT. (a) From funds appropriated for that purpose, the commissioner shall provide to a school district an annual allotment in the amount provided by appropriation for each student in average daily attendance.

(b) Funds allocated under this section must be used to improve school safety and security, including costs associated with:

(1) securing school facilities, including:

(A) improvements to school infrastructure;

(B) the use or installation of physical barriers; and

(C) the purchase and maintenance of:

(i) security cameras or other security equipment; and

(ii) technology, including communications systems or devices, that facilitates communication and information sharing between students, school personnel, and first responders in an emergency;

(2) providing security for the district, including:

(A) employing school district peace officers, private security officers, and school marshals; and

(B) collaborating with local law enforcement agencies, such as entering into a memorandum of understanding for the assignment of school resource officers to schools in the district;

(3) school safety and security training and planning, including:

(A) active shooter and emergency response training;

(B) prevention and treatment programs relating to addressing adverse childhood experiences; and

(C) the prevention, identification, and management of emergencies and threats, including:

(i) providing mental health personnel and support;

(ii) providing behavioral health services; and

(iii) establishing threat reporting systems; and

(4) providing programs related to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

(c) A school district may use funds allocated under this section for equipment or software that is used for a school safety and security purpose and an instructional purpose, provided that the instructional use does not compromise the safety and security purpose of the equipment or software.

(d) A school district that is required to take action under Chapter 41 to reduce its wealth per student to the equalized wealth level is entitled to a credit, in the amount of the allotments to which the district is to receive as provided by appropriation, against the total amount required under Section 41.093 for the district to purchase attendance credits.

(e) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this section.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 464 (S.B. 11), Sec. 20, eff. June 6, 2019.