Protecting Hoosier students

Protecting Hoosier students in school has always been a top priority for Senate Republicans.

In the new state budget, the General Assembly increased the funding for the Indiana Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG) program by more than $5 million in each of the next two years, totaling $49.2 million over the biennium.

The SSSG helps schools fund security resources, including the employment of a resource officer.

Since the program's inception in 2013, the state has awarded about $133 million to Indiana schools to increase security.

This year, the General Assembly expanded the list of activities that can be funded by the program through House Enrolled Act 1492.

This legislation added digital mapping of floor plans, multi-disciplinary threat assessments, fire detection and other items as potential grant uses.

HEA 1492 also requires all 92 counties in Indiana to establish a County School Safety Commission by the end of 2023. These commissions will coordinate and make safety recommendations to school districts located in each county.

House Enrolled Act 1483 also aims to protect Hoosier students by requiring school districts to prioritize bullying victims' safety and increase communication about bullying incidents with the parents of both the victim and offender.

With schools across the state starting back up in the weeks ahead, parents should feel confident the school they send their child to is secure.

Senate Republicans will continue to support measures that protect students throughout Indiana and maintain a safe environment where they can learn.

For more information about school safety initiatives in Indiana, click here.