Senate unanimously approves Millett school security funding bill

AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate unanimously approved a bill from Sen. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, that would make funding for security upgrades for school buildings a tier-one priority through Maine’s School Revolving Renovation Fund in an initial vote on Tuesday.

LD 1858, “An Act To Include Security Installations and Upgrades in Maine’s School Revolving Renovation Fund,” makes technical changes to the School Revolving Renovation Fund to prioritize funding for essential upgrades to school security systems.

“Our children are no longer asking us to take active steps to keep them safe. They are marching in the street and demanding action – and they should be. We need to be doing everything we can to ensure children can go to school and focus on learning rather than stressing over whether the next lockdown will be a drill or a response to an active threat,” said Sen. Millett. “This bill is just one of many measures we need to take to keep our children in school safe. I am glad we could reach a consensus on this issue in the Senate but I know we still have a lot of work left to do to safeguard our children.”

This legislation came in response to the recent school shootings in Florida and Maryland, as well as increased threats to Maine schools. The bill received unanimous support from the Legislature’s Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.

LD 1858 will now go to the House for a vote.

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