Congressman John Carter (TX-31) today voted for the bipartisan STOP School Violence Act, which passed the House 407-10. The STOP School Violence Act authorizes funding to prevent school violence, including technology to improve school security and training for local law enforcement, staff, and students to help identify and stop student violence.

“Schools should be a safe space for our children to learn and grow," Congressman Carter said. "The STOP School Violence Act provides a multi-pronged approach to improve school safety, including providing resources to train students, teachers and law enforcement officers on recognizing warning signs. By improving coordination with law enforcement, utilizing technology to prevent attacks, and implementing crisis intervention teams, our students, teachers and staff will have the tools necessary to stop violence before it occurs. We still have a lot of work to do to make sure that our students can learn in a safe environment, but the STOP School Violence Act is a good step in the right direction.”

Highlights of the STOP School Violence Act:

• Provides funding for training for local law enforcement officers, school personnel, and students to prevent school violence. Training would be designed to give individuals the ability to recognize warning signs and address active shooter situations.
• Funds technology and equipment to improve school security and prevent attacks, including anonymous reporting systems, metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other safe guards.
• Funds law enforcement coordination efforts with a particular focus on school resource officers.
• Provides funding for school threat assessment and crisis intervention teams so that school personnel can respond to threats quickly.

Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, co-chairman of the Congressional Army Caucus, is on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

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