Rep. Clark files bill in North Carolina House to establish school safety grants program

A new bill filed by State Rep. Clark seeks to enhance safety in public schools through grants for crisis services, safety training, and equipment, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 989 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Build Safer Communities and Schools Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes the School Safety Grants Program, administered by the Executive Director of the Center for Safer Schools, to enhance safety in public school units through grants for crisis services, safety training, and equipment. Public school units can apply for these grants, which require an assessment of safety needs conducted with local law enforcement. The bill details specific services eligible for funding, such as crisis respite services, evidence-based therapy, and various types of safety equipment including security systems and bullet-resistant glass. Up to $350,000 per year is allocated for both crisis and training services. The program is funded with $20 million in nonrecurring funds for each year of the 2025-27 biennium, effective July 1, 2025. Reports on funded activities must be submitted annually to legislative committees, and it is intended that recurring funds will support the program in future biennia.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Carolyn G. Logan and Clark proposed the most bills (27) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Clark graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2007 with a BA and again in 2012 from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Clark, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 57th House district, replacing previous state representative Ashton Clemmons.