State lawmakers in Texas advanced a bill Tuesday suggesting stipends of up to $25,000 for public school staff members who become designated guardians authorized to carry or possess a weapon while working on the premises.
House Bill 13, which focuses on "training, preparedness, and funding for school safety and emergencies," passed with bipartisan support and now heads to the state Senate where it's fate is uncertain. Texas lawmakers have until May 29 to pass school safety measures before adjourning without a set return date.
If passed, the bill would allow teachers and staff of public and open-enrollment charter schools within the state to be eligible for the School Guardian Training stipend. Approved employees would ultimately be agreeing to acting as campus security in addition to their regular role(s).
They would also be required to take courses in first aid, firearms training and rigorous mental health training, which would be on top of the mental health training Texas lawmakers want to require for all school employees.
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Rep. Ken King, a Republican who authored the bill, said the legislation comes "in light of the tragedies that have occurred in Texas schools over the past years."
"HB 13 allows districts to create a safety plan that works best for their local community while ensuring a minimum standard for all," King tweeted on Tuesday.
King also said he hopes the stipend would help school employees be...
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