On March 27, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Committee in support of SB 1077- Public Schools – Appropriations for School Safety Expenditures – School Security Employees with amendments. As amended, this bill authorizes increased funding for the School Resource Officer (SRO) Grant Program beginning in FY 2026. It also authorizes the grant funds to be used for personnel costs for school security employees (SSEs) in addition to school resource officers (SROs) (an already authorized expense).
MACo is seeking an amendment to the bill requiring the Governor to include the bill’s increased funding for the grant program in future budgets instead of just authorizing the Governor to do so.
Counties understand the delicate situation the General
Assembly finds itself in following several revenue write-downs and an uncertain economic future. However, the grants provided by the SRO Grant Program are critical to ensuring Maryland’s children have safe school environments where they can learn and grow. This is especially true post-pandemic when more students are struggling with mental health and behavioral challenges. With those considerations, MACo seeks a simple amendment to revert SB 1077 to its original intention as introduced and to require—instead of enabling—the proposed funding increases to the SRO Grant Program.
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