Current through 2024 Legislative Session Act Chapter 510
Section 4140 - Delaware school safety and security fund.(a) There is hereby created the Delaware School Safety and Security Fund to provide partial or full funding to school districts, vocational technical schools, or charter schools (LEAs) for projects intended to improve school safety or security. The fund shall initially be funded and shall thereafter be subject to available appropriations. The Department of Education shall maintain a list of all eligible schools, which shall be limited to high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools.(b) The Department of Education shall administer the Delaware School Safety and Security fund to provide funding to school districts, vocational technical schools, or charter schools (LEAs) for certain expenses incurred on or after the effective date of this section for projects intended to improve school safety or security. The LEA, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Department of Safety and Homeland Security, shall determine which items to apply such funds to and the following expenses for the purposes of this section shall be considered minor capital, supporting implementation and programming expenditures expenditures and shall be eligible for such funds:(1) Camera and monitoring equipment.(2) Vestibule improvements to include framing, glass, hardware, and doors.(3) Panic button hardware or software to include electronic software applications and technology, cell phone technology and applications.(4) Door locks, window locks, or similar items.(5) Magnet security systems.(7) Visitor pass cameras and security systems.(8) Door jamb opening sensors.(12) Bus camera security systems.(13) Bus GPS location systems.(15) Comprehensive school threat assessments.(16) Prevention training and other programs effectively that teach youth and adults how to prevent school violence, shootings, and other harmful actions. Programs and training should be aligned with Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) competencies for Social-Emotional Learning including relationship skills, social awareness, responsible decision-making and self-awareness.(c) In addition to the expenses allowed under subsection (b) of this section, the LEA, in conjunction with the Department of Education and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, may apply such funds to pay for constables or other law enforcement personnel to be utilized by the LEA.(d) The funds appropriated to the Delaware School Safety and Security Fund shall be distributed to the Department of Education and shall be allocated proportionately to LEAs based upon the previous year Division I unit count as certified in §§ 1704 and 1710 of this title. For purposes of this section, the provisions of § 7528(b) of Title 29 shall not apply.(e) The Department of Education and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security shall create a review process and establish a list of criteria for reviewing such requests from LEAs.(f) Charter schools shall not be eligible for improvements that would be considered major capital expenditures.Amended by Laws 2021, ch. 426,s 1, eff. 9/9/2022.Added by Laws 2017, ch. 427,s 1, eff. upon a specific annual appropriation in the Annual Appropriations Act.