The Maine Wire
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • About
  • Contact
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending News
  • Maine State Police Blindsided as Speaker Talbot Ross Claims They Support “Racial Profiling” Bill Written by ACLU
  • No Discipline for Social Worker Who Gave 13yo Girl Breast Binder Without Telling Mother, Says Maine State Board
  • State House Kills “Right to Work” Legislation Prohibiting Employment Conditional on Payment of Union Dues
  • Trump Indicted on Federal Charges in Classified Documents Probe as Biden Faces Bribery Allegations
  • Gov’s Late-Term Abortion Bill Heads to House Amid Acrimony [Podcast]
  • Maine Wire Podcast: Carroll Conley on Abortion, LGBT, and Religious Liberty in Maine
  • Dems Block Debate on Gov’s Late-Term Abortion Bill, Refuse GOP Questioning of Medical Experts
  • Partisan Vote Ends Brakey’s Bid for Welfare Work Requirements
Facebook Twitter Instagram
The Maine Wire
Login
Saturday, June 10
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • About
  • Contact
The Maine Wire
Home » News » Maine Dems Pass on School Safety Bills on Anniversary of Uvalde Shooting
News

Maine Dems Pass on School Safety Bills on Anniversary of Uvalde Shooting

Edward TomicBy Edward TomicMay 25, 2023Updated:May 25, 2023No Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

Democratic lawmakers in Augusta killed a series of GOP-backed measures aimed at promoting safe schools on Wednesday — the anniversary of the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Maine’s Republican lawmakers brought four of their proposed school safety bills to Wednesday’s work session before the Education and Cultural Affairs committee.

Three of the proposed bills would allow certain teachers, security officers or staff with concealed carry permits to be armed on school grounds (LD 52, LD 518, LD 1557).

LD 1326 would require teachers to be trained on school design features implemented to defend against active shooters, and would hold teachers and staff criminally liable for keeping doors unlocked or allowing an authorized person into the school if that person injures someone.

The Committee also convened a last-minute work session on LD 317, a bill that proposes removing prohibitions on retired police officers carrying firearms when employed as security in schools.

The bill also requires the opening of school district stakeholder groups to investigate long-term school safety measures.

The four proposed bills in favor of arming teachers, staff or retired police officers in schools were all voted “ought not to pass” along party lines, while LD 1326 was voted “ought not to pass” by a 9-1 margin.

Democratic members of the Committee balked at the opportunity for Maine’s schools to adopt any of the proposed school safety bills, voting “ought not to pass” on all five pieces of legislation.

The rejection of GOP school safety measures came on the anniversary of the Uvalde school shooting, a heinous crime that was followed by controversy and debate over the adequacy of the law enforcement response.

After the Uvalde shooting, reports later revealed that law enforcement officers were reluctant to enter the building and engage the shooter after they arrived on the scene.

One mother who said she wanted to enter the school to save her child was detained by law enforcement and physically prevented from rescuing her daughter.

She later escaped custody, entered the school building before law enforcement had, and was able to successfully rescue her daughter.

Previous ArticleMaine House Speaker Talbot Ross Withdraws Homeless Trespassing Amnesty Bill After Backlash
Next Article Maine GOP Expands Legislative Push for Parental Rights
Edward Tomic

Edward Tomic is a reporter for The Maine Wire based in Southern Maine. He grew up near Boston, Massachusetts and is a graduate of Boston University. He can be reached at tomic@themainewire.com

Related Posts

Maine State Police Blindsided as Speaker Talbot Ross Claims They Support “Racial Profiling” Bill Written by ACLU

June 9, 2023

No Discipline for Social Worker Who Gave 13yo Girl Breast Binder Without Telling Mother, Says Maine State Board

June 9, 2023

State House Kills “Right to Work” Legislation Prohibiting Employment Conditional on Payment of Union Dues

June 9, 2023

Leave A Reply

Recent News

Maine State Police Blindsided as Speaker Talbot Ross Claims They Support “Racial Profiling” Bill Written by ACLU

June 9, 2023

No Discipline for Social Worker Who Gave 13yo Girl Breast Binder Without Telling Mother, Says Maine State Board

June 9, 2023

State House Kills “Right to Work” Legislation Prohibiting Employment Conditional on Payment of Union Dues

June 9, 2023

Trump Indicted on Federal Charges in Classified Documents Probe as Biden Faces Bribery Allegations

June 9, 2023

Gov’s Late-Term Abortion Bill Heads to House Amid Acrimony [Podcast]

June 9, 2023
Newsletter

News

  • News
  • Campaigns & Elections
  • Opinion & Commentary
  • Media Watch
  • Education
  • Media

Maine Wire

  • About the Maine Wire
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Commentary
  • Complaints
  • Maine Policy Institute

Resources

  • Maine Legislature
  • Legislation Finder
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Maine Wire TV

Facebook Twitter Instagram Steam RSS
  • Post Office Box 7829, Portland, Maine 04112

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login below or Register Now.

Lost password?

Register Now!

Already registered? Login.

A password will be e-mailed to you.