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H.R.2479 / 118th Congress

Securing Our Schools Act of 2023

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 3, 2023

Securing Our Schools Act of 2023

This bill provides funding and resources to (1) strengthen security on school premises, and (2) provide access to student mental health resources. It also generally prohibits the use of federal funding provided by this bill for abortions.

Specifically, the bill provides specified funds through FY2033 to the Department of Education (ED) for Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants. It also directs ED to use a portion of these funds to strengthen security on school premises.

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The bill reauthorizes through FY2029 the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and revises the program, including by increasing grant amounts for administrative costs and technical assistance.

Further, the bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to be used to pay for school resource officers and improve physical security at schools.

Additionally, the bill transfers

specified funds under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act to ED to establish the Student Access to Mental Health Program Fund, through which ED must award grants to states to support the salary of a mental health professional in eligible schools; and specified unobligated funds under the ARP Act to support certain mental health programs of ED, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study on mental health providers in schools.

The bill transfers specified unobligated funds that were provided to address COVID-19 to ED to carry out this bill.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Weber, Randy K., Sr. [R-TX-14] · R–TX

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Appropriations Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
  • Homeland Security Committee
  • Education and Workforce Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  6. Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  7. Introduced in House

  8. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.2479 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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