The SASS Act, introduced in the 119th Congress, would streamline how schools seek federal funding for security by altering the way grant applications are submitted. Specifically, it would add a rule to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 that creates a multipurpose, or “single,” grant application process for matching grants intended for school security. Under the bill, the Attorney General would establish a process allowing a single application to be used for grants administered by either the COPS Director (Community Oriented Policing Services) or the BJA Director (Bureau of Justice Assistance) related to school security. The act also requires DOJ agencies to provide technical assistance to applicants to help them complete these applications. In short, the bill aims to reduce duplication and make it easier for schools and local jurisdictions to access multiple school-safety funding streams with one application.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The act would be known as the Single Application for School Safety Act or the SASS Act.
- 2Multipurpose applications: The Attorney General must establish a process allowing a single grant application to cover grants authorized by the COPS Director under section 2701(a)(1) and the BJA Director under section 2701(a)(2).
- 3Technical assistance: COPS or BJA Directors must provide technical assistance to applicants to help complete the single application.
- 4Scope of the change: Applies to the matching grant program for school security as described in section 2702(d) and adjacent provisions, enabling a unified submission for relevant school-safety grants.
- 5Implementation and oversight: The changes would be implemented through amendments to existing law, with responsibilities shared by the COPS and BJA Directors and the Attorney General.