Hall Gives Testimony on School Safety Bill

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Thomas Hall (R-Madison Twp.) today gave sponsor testimony on House Bill 99, legislation that enhances school safety measures by enabling school districts to have local control of training requirements for arming teachers.

“School safety is an issue I care deeply about because my family experienced a school shooting firsthand,” said Hall. 

On February 29, 2016, Hall’s father, Madison High School’s only armed school resource officer, chased a school shooter out of the building after he was firing at students. The offender was later arrested.

Under the bill, a school employee must complete concealed carry weapon (CCW) training in order to carry a firearm on school premises. Current law requires school employees to complete peace officer training, which is over 750 hours.

In addition to the CCW training requirement, school boards have the ability to determine any further requirements necessary for employees. 

“This revised version is the result of many collaborative conversations about school safety,” added Hall. “Each school district knows how to best protect their students and this bill promotes local control in doing so.”

The measure awaits additional hearings in the House Criminal Justice Committee.