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Hudson Introduces School Safety and Mental Health Legislation

June 7, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) has introduced the STOP II, Secure Every School and Protect our Nation’s Children Act. This legislation builds on the STOP School Violence Act signed into law in 2018 to fund $1 billion for school resource officers, $1 billion for mental health guidance counselors, and $5 billion for hardening schools, active shooter training, and training for law enforcement, school officials, and students to intervene before a student reaches a breaking point. The $7 billion legislation is paid for with already approved, yet unused COVID-19 funds.

"As a dad of a child in elementary school, I want to do everything possible to protect children in schools. Instead of gun control that threatens the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens, this legislation is targeted to make schools safer, improve mental health, and save lives," said Rep. Hudson. "Many are saying 'do something.' I say let's do something that matters. The STOP II Act will actually prevent school shootings and is one of numerous solutions by House Republicans to address the problems we face."

In addition to $7 billion to fund school resources officers and mental health guidance counselors, STOP II, Secure Every School and Protect our Nation’s Children Act closes loopholes in school security by allowing schools to apply under the STOP School Violence Act for grants to complete risk assessments and identify gaps in mental health services for students. It also codifies a clearinghouse at the Department of Homeland Security to assess, identify, and share best practices related to school safety.

To improve emergency preparedness, STOP II requires federal agencies to continuously update, develop, and provide training materials on bullying and cyberbullying, emergency planning, mental health, and targeted violence to help schools prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to, and recover from a range of school safety threats, hazards, and emergency situations.

Rep. Hudson's bill was introduced as House Democrats bring forward several gun control proposals for a vote. Last week, Democrats on the Judiciary Committee advanced the measures in what Rep. Hudson called a "missed opportunity to achieve real progress."

Original cosponsors to Rep. Hudson's STOP II Act include Reps. Austin Scott (GA-08), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Steve Womack (AR-03), Don Bacon (NE-02), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Mike Johnson (LA-04), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), David Joyce (OH-14), John Joyce (PA-13), Rodney Davis (IL-13), and John Curtis (UT-03).

On Tuesday, Rep. Hudson discussed his legislation on Newsmax. On Wednesday, Rep. Hudson will speak about his bill at a press conference in Washington, D.C. scheduled for 10:45am. Information on how to watch will be provided.

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