The Uvalde Strong Act is designed to enhance safety measures in Texas primary and secondary schools, particularly in response to active shooter incidents. The bill mandates that open-enrollment charter schools develop comprehensive emergency operations plans that cover prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It introduces new requirements for security reviews of school facilities undergoing construction or renovation to ensure they meet safety standards. Additionally, schools must have at least one breaching tool and one ballistic shield on campus. The legislation also emphasizes the need for training law enforcement and emergency services personnel in active shooter response, establishing the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University to create evaluation templates and training programs.

Moreover, the bill sets forth certification and continuing education requirements for public information officers in various agencies, ensuring they are trained in emergency communications. It introduces a grant program to help law enforcement agencies achieve or maintain accreditation and mandates annual reporting on grant applications and awards. The bill also requires local law enforcement and emergency medical services to evaluate their responses to active shooter incidents. Additionally, it emphasizes mental health support for first responders and establishes minimum standards for law enforcement agencies regarding protective equipment and policies for active shooter situations. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and includes provisions for the development of training programs and guides by December 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 12.104, Education Code 37.108, Education Code 37.1083, Education Code 37.109, Education Code 51.217, Occupations Code 1701.253 (Education Code 51, Education Code 12, Education Code 37, Occupations Code 1701)
House Committee Report: Education Code 12.104, Education Code 37.108, Education Code 37.1083, Education Code 51.217, Local Government Code 85.024, Occupations Code 1701.163, Occupations Code 1701.253 (Local Government Code 85, Education Code 37, Occupations Code 1701, Education Code 51, Education Code 12)
Engrossed: Education Code 12.104, Education Code 37.108, Education Code 37.1083, Education Code 51.217, Local Government Code 85.024, Occupations Code 1701.163, Occupations Code 1701.253 (Local Government Code 85, Education Code 37, Occupations Code 1701, Education Code 51, Education Code 12)