Rep. Wiggam Announces Passage of Legislation to Improve Security Measures in Schools

State Representative Scott Wiggam (R-Wooster) today announced his co-sponsorship and passage of legislation that creates a 10 million dollar “School Safety Training Grant." These dollars are flexible and can be used, but are not limited to: School Resource Officer training, any type of active shooter training, and training for school staff in order to better identify and assist students with mental health issues. House Bill 318 also establishes qualifications and training requirements for school resource officers (SROs). The bill also permits SROs to provide a specified range of services to the schools they serve.

“The bill will bring more security and protection to our children while they are at school. It adds to the work that has accomplished in Ohio that focuses on eliminating dangerous situations before they can develop and threaten our children”, said Representative Wiggam.

Bill sponsors Sarah LaTourette (R) and John Patterson (D) introduced the legislation after collaborating with the Coach Hall Foundation. Frank Hall is the football coach at Chardon High School who is credited with saving countless lives that terrible day in 2012 when a student opened fire on classmates. Coach Hall chased the shooter out of the school, preventing further casualties. Today, the Coach Hall Foundation seeks to “provide effective means to protect against school violence and improve the quality of life in our school communities.”

The legislation passed with bipartisan support and now goes to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.