Texas bill proposes up to $25k for school employees authorized to act as armed guards

Texas lawmakers advanced House Bill 13 on Tuesday, which would allow stipends of up to $25,000 for public school staff members authorized to act as armed guards on campus.

If passed, the bill would allow teachers and staff of public and open-enrollment charter schools within the state to be eligible for the School Guardian Training stipend. Approved employees would ultimately be agreeing to acting as campus security in addition to their regular role(s).

They would also be required to take courses in first aid, firearms training and rigorous mental health training, which would be on top of the mental health training Texas lawmakers want to require for all school employees.