House Passes School Safety Bill

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 99, legislation sponsored by State Rep. Thomas Hall (R-Madison Twp.), which enhances school safety measures by enabling school districts to have local control of training requirements for arming teachers.

“This bill is about giving power to local officials to decide what is in the best interest of their schools,” said Hall. “In the end, we all want our students and educators to feel safe, and House Bill 99 accomplishes that.”

During session, Hall shared a personal connection with a school shooting. On February 29, 2016, Hall’s father and Madison High School’s only armed school resource officer, chased a school shooter out of the building after firing at students. The offender was later arrested.

“I will never forget the feeling I had or the phone call from my mother on that day,” said Hall. “The lives of many families, including my own, in my hometown of Madison Township, will never forget that day.”

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. “House Bill 99 is a potentially life-saving bill, and I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate on this important legislation.”

H.B. 99 will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.