Every school in Texas will need to have an armed guard under a bill sent to Gov. Greg Abbot on Sunday.
That provision caused the most consternation among the opponents of the bill, who have argued all through the legislative session that fewer guns — not more — is the solution to mass shootings. Still, the bill passed by a relatively large margin in the House, 93-49., D-Austin, said requiring an armed person at schools will endanger students instead of ensuring their safety.
Both chambers have said school safety is a priority this session after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at a Uvalde elementary school last year. However, parents of the Uvalde victims were left disappointed after the raise-the-age bill they advocated forearlier in the session. The bill would have changed the age to legally purchase semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21.
Under the bill, school employees who regularly interact with children would need to complete an “evidence-based mental health first-aid training program.” The TEA would reimburse the employee for the time and money spent on the training.