The Secure & Fortify Entrances and Rooms (SAFER) in Schools Act Mandates Critical Door Reinforcement and Delivers Nationwide Protections for Schools

Washington, D.C.— Today, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) introduced a bipartisan measure to enhance school safety through the reinforcement of interior and exterior doors, the Secure & Fortify Entrances and Rooms in (SAFER) Schools Act. This bill would require an expert panel to make recommendations on the installation or modification of school doors and provide a decade-long investment to implement this critical security upgrade nationwide.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that every necessary safeguard is in place to protect our students, educators, and school communities in the event of a safety emergency,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “The bipartisan SAFER Schools Act puts the physical security of our educational institutions front and center by mandating and funding the reinforcement of doors in every primary and secondary school nationwide. I am grateful to partner with Representative Moskowitz and continue my work with my good friend, the remarkable Tony Montalto, and Stand with Parkland in advancing this critical initiative. Congress must act with urgency and resolve to create the safest possible learning environments—our children’s safety and success and parents’ peace of mind depend on it.”

"Last year, Congressman Fitzpatrick and I walked the halls of my alma mater, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. What we saw was a horrific scene that shocks the conscience and demonstrates just how much work we still must do to protect our kids in schools. In Florida, I lead the passage of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Safety Act, which provided for many school safety enhancements - including grants for entryway hardening. The SAFER Schools Act that Congressman Fitzpatrick and I are introducing is an important step towards making these safety enhancements nationwide and ensuring other communities do not endure the same tragedy as Parkland,” said Congressman Jared Moskowitz.

“Our heartfelt thanks to Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Jared Moskowitz for co-sponsoring the Secure and Fortify Entrances & Rooms (SAFER) in Schools Act. They both walked the bloodied halls at the scene of the Parkland school massacre with the victims’ families, and this bill is direct result of that experience. Stand with Parkland – The National Association of Families for Safe Schools approached them with the idea for this bill and their partnership with us demonstrates a shared dedication to preventing tragedies like the one our families endured. This bill will help protect students and staff from the threats they face in 21st century schools just like the now unquestioned school fire safety efforts from 1950s did then. The bipartisan support from congressmen Fitzpatrick and Moskowitz showcases their unwavering commitment to making our nation’s schools safer for every child,” said Tony Montalto, President of Stand with Parkland.

To enhance school security, the SAFER Schools Act would:

• Instruct the CISA Director to convene a rulemaking advisory committee consisting of law enforcement and safety officers, technological and structural experts, and school personnel.
• Direct the advisory committee to consider key aspects of school door reinforcement, as well as develop and report to Congress their recommendations on door requirements, performance standards, certification and training, and more.
• Require the CISA Director, taking into account the advisory committee’s report, to issue a final rule requiring the installation or modification of interior and exterior doors in primary or secondary schools.
• Provide an additional annual increase of $100 million for ten years to the Homeland Security Grant Program to assist schools in meeting the final rule’s requirements.

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