Senator Kiffmeyer’s School Safety Update

Senate Republicans advanced multiple bills focused on school safety this week, adopting a comprehensive approach to mental health and facilities security. Three of the proposals provide new flexible funding for school safety, while a fourth addresses a state emergency evacuation regulation that could inadvertently put students at risk. Coupled existing school safety funding and established school resource officers, this new legislation will guarantee that our schools and children are safer.

• SF 3243: Allows school districts to use long-term facilities maintenance revenue for remodeling and equipping existing school facilities to increase the safety and security of students and staff.
• SF 2754:  Provides one-time revenue for safe schools that can be used for a variety of things including mental health, school counselors, structural building improvements, and more.
• SF 3068: Creates a new grant program for public school districts to conduct professional safety audits of their local schools and identify any potential areas for improvement. Districts may receive up to 100% of their costs reimbursed through state grants.
• SF 2900: Allows schools to modify their emergency drill procedure by not forcing the institution to fully empty the building every time an alarm sounds. Currently, schools must fully evacuate, even in the instance of a verified false alarm. The perpetrator in Parkland exploited this.

I’m proud to support these bills and other legislation being advanced by Minnesota Senate Republicans that focuses on the heart of the issue and provides real solutions to the problems our nation faces – a mental health crisis and too many vulnerable schools.  Our solutions will keep Minnesotan children safe and protect our rights, instead of implementing short-sighted “fixes” that would punish law-abiding Minnesota gun owners and defenders of the Second Amendment without recognition that criminals and evil-minded perpetrators will never just agree to follow the law.