South Dakota state lawmakers approved a bill that will provide school districts additional funding for sentinel training.
Representative Dayle Hammock of Spearfish, the main sponsor of bill told lawmakers that in 2013 South Dakota passed its first sentinel bill into law, just one year after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. Since that time, 14 school staff members have attended sentinel training, Hammock says providing additional funding for more training opportunities provided by South Dakota law enforcement is a wise investment for the state.
“HB 1152 proposes a potential cost of 45 thousand dollars per year, which is small dollar investment that pays big dividends. The most critical aspect in stopping a shooter is time. Every time we study these events we’ve learned that 10 to 20 second is truly is critical time for someone to stop a shooter.”
Rep. Jean Hunhoff reminded lawmakers that when the program first began it was a voluntary program. Turnout numbers are low, and additional funding may not be the answer.
Rep. Thomas Brunner told lawmakers, there is no more important bill this session than HB 1152.
“I don’t’ think anything is more important this session than for us to stand up and say our kids matter and they matter more than where the money comes from or little details.”
The measure passed the full house with a 45 to 25 vote.