4th District Congressman Jim Himes has introduced the ‘Safe to Tell Act of 2018’. The legislation, if enacted, will provide federal grants to states that choose to establish and maintain an anonymous, 24/7 monitored venue to alert law enforcement about potential threats of violence at schools. 

The legislation would require those states seeking a grant to present a framework in which parents, students, teachers, and school administrators can effectively and efficiently share information regarding potential threats with law enforcement and school safety officials.  The measure is based on Colorado's ‘Safe2Tell’ program, pioneered after the shootings at Columbine High School in 1999. 

The proposal calls for $25 million for each fiscal year from through 2023. It also provides states with the autonomy to decide how to best implement the program in their jurisdictions, while setting standards and requirements. Some of these include establishing guidelines and transmitting methods of anonymous reports, proper channel routing for prompt and effective local law enforcement responses and built-in accountability standards, among others.