Bill would let school systems reapply to Safe Schools Fund within fiscal year, sponsor says

Delegate Mike Griffith presented House Bill 157, which would allow local education agencies (LEAs) to reapply for additional Safe Schools Fund grants within the same fiscal year after they have expended an initial allocation, provided the LEA demonstrates need and funds remain available. "All this bill does is allow, and is a may not a shall, for LEAs to reapply for a second safe schools fund grant within the same fiscal year after they've expended their first allocation," Griffith said.

The sponsor said the Maryland Center for School Safety would retain discretion to approve reapplications. Witnesses included Clyde Boatwright of the Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police and others who support increased resourcing for school-based officers and school security programs. Boatwright described school-based officers' roles in mentoring and relationship-building in addition to safety tasks.

Committee members asked whether substantial funds have been left unallocated in recent years; the sponsor said some years had unallocated amounts (the sponsor cited about $1.7 million unspent in the most recent year and larger unspent totals earlier) and suggested the bill would allow funds that the General Assembly allocated for school safety to be used if LEAs can show need and additional funds are available. The transcript records testimony and questions but no committee vote in the excerpt.

Supporters emphasized the bill preserves LEA discretion — participation remains optional — and only applies if additional funds are available after initial allocations; opponents or fiscal critics were not recorded in the excerpt.