Dade Phelan’s priority bills focus on school safety, requiring active-shooter plans

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers informed of the most essential Texas news.

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan announced his support for several bills addressing gaps in school security Wednesday, one of which would require districts to adopt active shooter preparedness plans. The bill, which also expands funding for mental health resources, has emerged as one of lawmakers’ most prominent efforts to respond to Texas’ deadliest school shooting. It was nine months ago when a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde.

Phelan unveiled House Bill 13, authored by Canadian MP Ken King, as one of his priority bills Wednesday night, along with other pieces of legislation including proposals that seek to better support teachers, provide a of living costs for former educators and hire more school security officers.

“The active shooter plan would clarify the chain of command for active shooter events to ensure continuity between school officials and law enforcement, identifying points of contact during such emergencies,” Phelan said in a written statement announcing the support. his for HB 13.

Since the shooting at Robb Elementary School, details have emerged that show a lack of a clear chain of command and miscommunication between law enforcement. An investigation by The Texas Tribune, ProPublica and the Washington Post found that several lives could have been saved that day if first responders had acted sooner.

As part of the required active shooter plans, districts would have to send maps of each campus to the Texas Education Agency, provide opportunities for law enforcement agencies to conduct walk-throughs of all buildings and determine the costs of necessary to meet the requirements set by the state. safety standards.

Phelan also showed support for House Bill 3, which would require districts to have at least one armed security officer present on every campus in the state. Phelan noted that the bill hopes to standardize the roles of the TEA and the Texas School Safety Center, an institute at Texas State University created by lawmakers in 2001 to research the implementation of school safety measures.

All the top GOP leaders in the state have said they are focusing on school safety. Both Gov. Greg Abbott and Gov. Dan Patrick named the issue one of their priorities for the legislative session. Still, many Republicans remain staunchly opposed to any kind of major gun reform, even after the massacre at Robb Elementary School on May 24. Democratic lawmakers, aware of the uphill battle, are trying to limit gun access regardless.

Given the Uvalde attacker’s troubled history of behavior, many lawmakers have focused efforts on improving the state’s crumbling mental health infrastructure. In the wake of the mass shooting, lawmakers recommended expanding access to the state’s mental health telemedicine system and increasing the number of professionals in the field.

Earlier Wednesday, senators approved a bill that would close a loophole in state law that had allowed the sale of guns to people who were involuntarily hospitalized for mental illness between the ages of 16 and 18.

Last week, Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, introduced a bill that would similarly force districts to establish safety protocols for active shooter situations and create a safety and security department housed within the TEA.

If passed, HB 13 would require school staff to complete a mental health first aid training program, which can help teachers and administrators identify early warning signs of struggling students, Phelan said.

School districts would also receive $100 per student to improve school safety and security measures, though the bill would remove existing language outlining how those funds could be used. Instead, the law directs school districts to purchase technology and equipment from a directory of approved vendors that the Texas School Safety Center would publish after the legislation passes.

Phelan also signaled his support for House Bill 11, which would create incentives for Texas educators that include changes to the minimum wage and expanded access to child care.

House Bill 600, which has Phelan’s blessing, would provide retired teachers with a cost-of-living adjustment starting in 2024 for eligible teachers.

“Ensuring Texas children are safe in classrooms is a priority that the Texas House will take significant action on this year, along with passing measures that better support our teachers — starting with recruitment and ending with exit. pension,” said Phelan.

We look forward to welcoming you September 21-23 to the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, our multi-day celebration of big, bold ideas about politics, public policy and the news of the day — all happening just steps from the Texas Capitol. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today.