State Representative Don McLaughlin (R-Uvalde), the former mayor of Uvalde, has introduced a new school safety bill aimed at preventing the kind of catastrophic law enforcement failures that contributed to the deaths of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School nearly three years ago.
Dubbed the "Uvalde Strong Act" (House Bill 33), the legislation mandates active shooter response plans for schools and police, facilitates inter-jurisdiction mutual aid agreements, and requires mental health plans for first responders dealing with mass casualty events. Additionally, the bill establishes a $25,000 grant program to help law enforcement agencies obtain active shooter preparedness accreditation.
The bill also tasks the Texas Department of Emergency Management with developing a universal active shooter response plan, explicitly detailing the chain of command to prevent confusion during crises.
A Direct Response to the Uvalde Shooting
HB 33 is a legislative response to the May 24, 2022, massacre at Robb Elementary School, where an 18-year-old gunman fatally shot 21 people before being killed by law enforcement—after more than an hour of inaction. Investigations revealed a breakdown in communication and leadership, with Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo failing to assume or delegate command effectively.
The Texas House Investigative Committee, chaired by now-Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), found that law enforcement failed to follow active shooter protocols, prioritizing their own safety over rescuing victims. Their report stated:
"At Robb Elementary, law enforcement responders failed to adhere to their active shooter training, and they failed to prioritize saving the lives of innocent victims over their own safety."
McLaughlin, who was mayor at the time of the shooting, emphasized the importance of ensuring no future tragedy is met with the same failures.
"What happened that day was a failure of duty, leadership, and preparedness," McLaughlin said. "Law enforcement hesitated, communication broke down, and innocent children and teachers were left defenseless. We must do what we can to ensure these mistakes are never repeated. The Uvalde Strong Act is about guaranteeing that when a crisis strikes, there is no confusion and no delay—only immediate, decisive action to save lives."
Building on Previous Legislative Efforts
Texas lawmakers have been grappling with school safety improvements since the Uvalde shooting. In 2022, state officials approved $100.5 million for security enhancements, including bulletproof shields and panic alert systems.
During the 88th Legislature, Burrows authored HB 3, which allowed schools to hire armed security guards and established a school safety office within the Texas Education Agency. Additionally, HB 2, authored by State Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) in 2023, proposed a State School Safety Fund with up to $1.1 billion annually for security measures, but it failed due to broader political disputes over school funding and school choice.
McLaughlin’s bill aims to strengthen these efforts, ensuring schools and law enforcement are not only equipped but fully trained to respond swiftly and effectively to active shooter situations.
What Comes Next?
As HB 33 makes its way through the Texas Legislature, it will likely face scrutiny over funding, implementation, and coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. However, given the devastating lessons from Uvalde, bipartisan support for stronger school safety measures remains high.
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