- In Congress, a bill, called the Promoting Resource Officers Together for Exceptionally Critical Targets with Key Investments in Districts and Schools Act, or “Protect Kids Act,” has been introduced. The legislation sets aside $250 million in matching grants to hire school resource officers.
- In Florida, Lee County officials are implementing a public service announcement campaign called “Fake Threats, Real Consequences.” The school district investigated 51 threats of violence in the 2016-17 school year. In 2017-18, that number jumped to 164. Other school districts in Florida are experiencing a spate of threats as well.
- In Virginia, legislation has been introduced that would exempt students from a disorderly conduct charge if they misbehave at school. Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor in Virginia. The proposals are a continuation of recent school discipline reform that cut the maximum length of a long-term suspension from 364 calendar days to 45 school days and that prevents school districts from suspending students in pre-K through third grade for more than three days.
- In Maryland, House Bill 31 has been introduced to eliminate the current policy that prevents Baltimore City school-based police from carrying guns when school is in session.