WEST virginia legislature

2022 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 4646

By Delegate Griffith

[Introduced February 11, 2022; Referred to the Committee on Finance]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-34-1, relating to funding school safety design; creating Safety in Schools fund; and setting forth award procedure.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Article 34. School safety Design surplus Act.

§18-34-1. Findings; Safety in Schools Fund created; and procedure for awards.

(a) The Legislature finds that there is an ongoing and increasing need for safety design in school facilities to protect our students and staff from threats of violence. The Legislature further finds there are schools throughout West Virginia without adequate protection from potential threats and without secure facilities. 

(b) There is created the West Virginia Safety in Schools Fund, the interest and principal of which shall be used only for the purpose of supporting safety design in school facilities through school features and infrastructure in accordance with this section.

(c) The assets of the Safety in Schools fund shall be derived from the following:

(1) There being an excess of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and/or Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), such remainder ARPA and/or SLFRF funds as appropriated in accordance with §18-9D-1 et seq. of this code and under this section; and

(2) The proceeds of any gifts, grants, contributions, or other moneys accruing to the state which are specifically designated for inclusion in this fund.

(d) The School Building Authority shall award funds under this section pursuant to guidelines and an application process developed by the School Building Authority by which applicant schools are selected on the basis of (1) need for additional safety features and infrastructure at school facilities; and (2) costs associated with increasing safety features and infrastructure at school facilities. The funds under this section shall be made available in accordance with the guidelines of the authority and with §18-9D-1 et seq. of this code.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the Safety in Schools fund for school safety design. The bill sets forth findings, creates the fund, and sets forth an award procedure.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.