H.R. 645 – School Security Enhancement Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:57 PM UTC

The School Security Enhancement Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to let local education agencies use federal grant money to plan, design, and install security measures in schools. It authorizes funding for things like metal detectors, concealed‑student spaces, emergency notification systems, security officers, bullet‑resistant doors, and faster parent communications during crises. The bill also bars any of these funds from being used to purchase firearms or provide firearm training. It applies to public schools that receive ESEA funding.

Key Provisions

Allows ESEA grant funds to be used for planning, designing, and installing security infrastructure and technology in schools.
Permits specific security measures such as metal detectors, concealed spaces for students, emergency notification to law enforcement, hiring security officers, bullet‑resistant doors/windows, and rapid parent communication systems.
Prohibits the use of these funds for providing firearms or firearm training.
Clarifies that the prohibition does not affect other laws that may allow firearms or training.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Education and Workforce Committee

February 1, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 1, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Education and Workforce Committee

February 1, 2021

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 1, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 645

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 1, 2021

Mr. Carter of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

A BILL

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to strengthen school security.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the School Security Enhancement Act.

2.

School security

Section 4104 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7114) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (b)(3)(B)—

(A)

in clause (iii), by striking and at the end; and

(B)

by inserting after clause (iv) the following:

(v)

improving school conditions for student learning, by enabling local educational agencies to use funds available under subsection (a)(3) for the purpose of planning and designing school buildings and facilities, installing infrastructure, and implementing technology or other measures, that strengthen security on school premises, which may include—

(I)

controlling access to school premises or facilities, through the use of metal detectors, or other measures, or technology, with evidence-based effectiveness (to the extent the State involved determines that such evidence is reasonably available), in accordance with the needs of the school;

(II)

implementing any technology or measure, or installing any infrastructure, to cover and conceal students within the school during crisis situations;

(III)

implementing technology to provide notification to relevant law enforcement and first responders during such a situation;

(IV)

implementing any technology or measure, including hiring school security officers, or installing any infrastructure, with evidence-based effectiveness (to the extent the State involved determines that such evidence is reasonably available) to increase the safety of school students and staff;

(V)

implementing any technology or measure, or installing any infrastructure, for school safety reinforcement, including bullet-resistant doors and windows; and

(VI)

implementing any technology or system that would reduce the time needed to disseminate official information to parents regarding the safety of their children during and immediately following a crisis; and

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(d)

Rules of construction

(1)

No funds to provide firearms or training

No amounts provided as a grant under this part may be used for the provision to any person of a firearm or training in the use of a firearm.

(2)

No effect on other laws

Nothing in this part may be construed to preclude or contradict any other provision of law authorizing the provision of firearms or training in the use of firearms.

.