Schools could get grants to replace campus police with support staff

The Secretary of Education would award competitive grants to local education agencies to replace covered officers with support staff and change safety and discipline policies. The grants would serve local education agencies operating elementary or secondary schools. Agencies must use grant funds to hire, maintain, or train listed support staff or specialists. They may also fund specified programs and training. The bill authorizes $5 billion, but grants could be funded only if Congress provides an appropriation. Agencies must keep covered officers off school campuses for at least 30 days before receiving funds. They must not establish a new law enforcement contract or create a school police department during the grant.

Federal funds could not be used to hire, maintain, or train covered law enforcement officers in any capacity. Covered programs include elementary and secondary schools, local education agencies, and programs serving children who receive Head Start assistance. A covered officer is a state, tribal, or local officer assigned to, employed by, or contracting with a covered program. The definition includes school resource officers who meet those terms.

Grant recipients would have to prepare and submit annual reports and make them public. This applies to local education agencies receiving grants under the program. Reports would cover grant spending, student arrests or referrals, and school surveillance tools. Student details need not be collected or shared when doing so would identify a student or violate privacy laws. The text requires annual reports but does not say when they are due or how many must be filed.