To help improve protections for children in their classrooms, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) has sponsored bipartisan legislation that would promote the creation of state anonymous school threat reporting programs nationwide.
“As a mom, I cannot imagine the pain of parents who dropped their kids off at school not knowing it would be the last time they’d ever see their smiling faces again,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said on Aug. 3. “These senseless acts of violence are often preventable with the right tools, and it’s time we provide them to school districts across eastern Washington and the country.”
The Safe to Tell Act of 2023, H.R. 5126, which Rep. McMorris Rodgers introduced alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. James Himes (D-CT), would authorize $25 million for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to provide grant funding for states to implement the Safe2Tell tip line, which allows students to anonymously report safety concerns or threats of violence, according to the text of the bill. The U.S. Department of Justice would oversee funding.
The lawmakers announced the bill during a school safety roundtable held with local superintendents, school board officials, school safety officers, school counselors, and law enforcement officers.
“Our community came together today to show we are committed to ensuring schools are safe places for our kids to learn, thrive, and reach their full potential,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers on Aug. 3. “By leading on creative and innovative solutions that work, like Safe2Tell’s confidential reporting system, I’m hopeful we can save lives and give parents confidence that their children are safe at all times.”
During the roundtable, community leaders discussed how H.R. 5126 should be one of the solutions implemented to keep children safe in the classroom, along with the need for more mental health resources for students, teachers, and families, according to information provided by the congresswoman’s staff.
Among the roundtable participants in Washington State were Spokane Chief of Police Craig Meidl; Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels; Washington State University Chief of Police Gary Jenkins; Mead School District Superintendent Travis Hanson; Central Valley School District Superintendent John Parker; Center for Personal Protection & Safety CEO Randy Spivey; and ZeroEyes Senior Vice President of Strategy Dustin Kisling.
H.R. 5126 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.