Senator Lee’s Bill to Expand School Safety Grant Program Unanimously Clears Senate Finance Committee

March 19, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate Finance Committee unanimously voted today to pass SB19-179, Enhance School Safety Incident Response Grant Program. The bill, sponsored by Senator Pete Lee (D-El Paso County), would update and improve an existing program designed to increase school safety. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

“There is nothing more important than protecting our students,” said Senator Lee. “I was proud to create this safety program when I served in the House, and I am hopeful that we can enhance its effectiveness through these small adjustments and additional funding. Ensuring the safety of students and educators is essential.”

In 2018, then-Representative Lee passed HB18-1413, a bill that created a program to provide grants to nonprofit organizations experienced with school safety training and working with law enforcement for research and training in how to respond to school shootings and other emergencies. SB19-179 will improve this program by appropriating an additional $1,150,000 to the department of public safety for its administration.

For more information about this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-179.

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