H.R.1334 - Single Application for School Safety Act; SASS Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1334, the Single Application for School Safety Act (SASS Act), aims to streamline the grant application process for school security funding. It allows applicants to submit a single application to either the COPS Director or the BJA Director for matching grant programs related to school security.
The bill amends Section 2702 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish this single application process. It also mandates that the COPS Director or the BJA Director provide technical assistance to applicants to complete the grant application.
This is intended to reduce administrative burden and improve access to funding for school safety initiatives.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill will be to simplify the process by which schools can apply for federal grants related to security. This could lead to more schools applying for and receiving funding.
By streamlining the application process, it could also reduce the administrative burden on both the schools and the grant-awarding agencies. This could result in a more efficient allocation of resources.
Ultimately, the goal is to improve school safety by making it easier for schools to access the funding they need.
Potential Benefits
- Streamlined application process reduces administrative burden for schools.
- Increased accessibility to funding for school security measures.
- Potential for more efficient allocation of resources.
- Enhanced technical assistance for grant applicants.
- Could lead to safer school environments.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased competition for limited grant funding.
- No guarantee that streamlining the application process will lead to improved school safety.
- Possible administrative costs associated with establishing and maintaining the single application process.
- The effectiveness depends on the quality and accessibility of the technical assistance provided.
- The bill does not address the underlying causes of school violence.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to improve school safety. There are no apparent conflicts with specific constitutional provisions.
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but this bill involves federal grants, which are generally permissible under the spending clause.
However, the constitutionality of specific school safety measures funded by these grants would need to be evaluated separately, particularly in relation to the Second Amendment.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).