FORTIFY Act

This legislation, titled the FORTIFY Act , significantly broadens the scope of the matching grant program for school security established under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. It specifically authorizes grant funds to be utilized for the hiring of school resource officers , enhancing their presence in educational facilities. Beyond personnel, the bill also permits the use of these grants for purchasing essential equipment for school resource officers, including firearms, protective gear, and various vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, scooters, and bicycles. Furthermore, it mandates the Attorney General to provide technical assistance to States, local governments, and Indian tribes, aiming to improve access to these critical school security grants, particularly for rural and geographically underserved areas. The Attorney General's report to Congress will now include details on the effectiveness of this technical assistance in expanding grant access.