House Education Committee passes school shooting bill

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – A bill meant to make schools safer from mass shootings, and other threats is advancing.

The House Education Committee, on Thursday, passed House Bill 1283, sending it to the full House for more consideration.

The plan would require safety inspections, and active shooter drills held twice a year at public schools.

It would also create a threat-reporting mechanism, to be monitored by three dedicated analysts, at the state department of public safety.

A task force, convened by Gov. Phil Bryant, recommended that every school have a school resource officer.

State rep. Mark Baker, a Brandon republican sponsoring the bill, said he wants to expand a cost-sharing program, to encourage that goal, but it’s unclear if lawmakers will provide enough money.

The legislation doesn’t include a task force recommendation to sometimes arm teachers.