Bill > HB1011

This bill establishes a school safety capital grant program administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to provide funding for physical safety improvements in schools. Eligible projects include security vestibules, metal detectors, key card access systems, panic buttons, fencing, lighting, and crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) projects. Common schools, state-tribal education compact schools, and charter schools can apply, with charter schools only eligible for funding from sources other than the common school construction fund. The grant program requires applicants to match state funding, with the matching requirement potentially reduced for schools with higher percentages of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Applicants must demonstrate project site control for at least 10 years and can receive grants up to $1,000,000. OSPI will develop a competitive application process and can use up to 3% of appropriated funds for program administration. Grantees must use the improvements for the intended purpose, and if found non-compliant, may be required to repay the grant amount, potentially with interest if the funding came from general obligation bonds.