S. 45 – School Security Enhancement Act

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Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:37 PM UTC

The School Security Enhancement Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to let local education agencies use certain federal funds for school‑security improvements. It authorizes spending on planning, building design, and technology that can control access, protect students during crises, notify law‑enforcement, hire security staff, install bullet‑resistant doors and windows, and quickly inform parents. The bill also explicitly bars any of these funds from being used to purchase firearms or provide firearm training.

Key Provisions

Allows ESEA funds to be used for planning, designing, and installing security infrastructure and technology in schools.
Permits measures such as metal detectors, access‑control systems, student‑concealment solutions, emergency notification systems, hiring security officers, and bullet‑resistant doors/windows.
Authorizes technology that speeds parent communication about safety during and after a crisis.
Prohibits any grant money from being used to provide firearms or firearm‑training to anyone.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

January 26, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 26, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

January 26, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued January 26, 2021

II

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 45

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 26, 2021

Mr. Cruz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

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.

.