This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to mandate that states maintain their funding for school resource officer (SRO) programs in elementary and secondary schools. To receive the full amount of federal ESEA funds, a State educational agency must ensure its SRO funding is not less than the greater of the amount expended in the most recent compliant fiscal year or the average annual amount expended over the preceding five fiscal years. This provision aims to stabilize and protect state-level financial support for SROs. States are required to submit an annual certification of compliance to the Secretary, along with a public report detailing SRO funding and the number of SROs for the current and previous five fiscal years. If a State educational agency fails to meet the funding maintenance requirement without a waiver, the Secretary will proportionally reduce its total federal ESEA funds for the subsequent fiscal year. However, the Secretary may grant a waiver if a state demonstrates extraordinary financial circumstances, such as a significant economic downturn or natural disaster, that led to a reduction in SRO funding.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Education
SRO Funding Protection Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-3430| House
| Updated: 5/15/2025
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to mandate that states maintain their funding for school resource officer (SRO) programs in elementary and secondary schools. To receive the full amount of federal ESEA funds, a State educational agency must ensure its SRO funding is not less than the greater of the amount expended in the most recent compliant fiscal year or the average annual amount expended over the preceding five fiscal years. This provision aims to stabilize and protect state-level financial support for SROs. States are required to submit an annual certification of compliance to the Secretary, along with a public report detailing SRO funding and the number of SROs for the current and previous five fiscal years. If a State educational agency fails to meet the funding maintenance requirement without a waiver, the Secretary will proportionally reduce its total federal ESEA funds for the subsequent fiscal year. However, the Secretary may grant a waiver if a state demonstrates extraordinary financial circumstances, such as a significant economic downturn or natural disaster, that led to a reduction in SRO funding.