HB 1818: School Safety Firearm Detection Software Pilot Program; established.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Public School Security Equipment Grant Act of 2013; eligible security equipment; School Safety Firearm Detection Software Pilot Program established. Establishes the School Safety Firearm Detection Software Pilot Program (the Pilot Program), to be administered as a part of the Public School Security Equipment Grant Act of 2013, for the purpose of enhancing security and firearm violence prevention measures in public schools in the Commonwealth by awarding grants to eligible school divisions for the purchase, installation or integration, maintenance, and operation of firearm detection software into security cameras in two Title 1 schools in each congressional district in the Commonwealth. The bill defines "firearm detection software" as any technology software or system provided by a vendor that (i) is headquartered in the Commonwealth, has at least 10 years of experience in providing school safety technology to educational institutions, and is a small business consisting of fewer than 100 employees and (ii) uses artificial intelligence to analyze video streams from surveillance cameras in real time for the detection of firearms and, upon detecting a firearm, immediately notifies local law enforcement, school security personnel, the school administration, and other appropriate public safety authorities. The bill amends provisions of the Public School Security Equipment Grant Act of 2013 as necessary for the integration of the Pilot Program, including by (a) expanding the definition of "security equipment" to include firearm detection software; (b) exempting from the match requirement, in addition to the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind as set forth in current law, any school division receiving a grant pursuant to the Pilot Program; (c) requiring the Department to give priority to eligible school divisions applying on behalf of Title 1 schools for grants under the Pilot Program such that grants are first awarded to school divisions and in an amount sufficient to support the purchase, installation or integration, maintenance, and operation of firearm detection software in two Title 1 schools in each congressional district; and (d) modifying and expanding application requirements, reporting requirements, and requirements relating to the development of certain guidelines, policies, and procedures to include the Pilot Program. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2028.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 4, 2025Left in Appropriations
2. January 20, 2025Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (8-Y 0-N)
3. January 17, 2025Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1818)
4. January 15, 2025Assigned Approps sub: Elementary & Secondary Education
5. January 15, 2025Reported from Education with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 0-N)
6. January 14, 2025Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations (8-Y 0-N)
7. January 11, 2025Assigned Educ sub: K-12 Subcommittee
8. January 6, 2025Introduced bill reprinted 25104122D
9. January 6, 2025Referred to Committee on Education
10. January 6, 2025Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-13-2025 25104122D