Senate Bill 713 - Build Safer Communities and Schools Act

Summary

• Law Enforcement Enhancements: Appropriates $2.2 million for law enforcement grants supporting community policing, officer incentives, crisis intervention teams, detective positions, and justice academy funding; establishes minimum standards for hiring and training officers including mental health screenings.

• Firearm Regulations: Reinstates pistol purchase permits issued by the State Bureau of Investigation for private sales; requires universal background checks for all firearm transfers; strengthens safe storage laws with enhanced penalties for unsafe storage; provides sales tax exemption for firearm storage equipment.

• Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Creates new civil procedure allowing family members or law enforcement to petition courts to temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals posing danger to themselves or others, with specific hearing requirements and firearm surrender procedures.

• School Safety: Appropriates $20 million annually for school safety grants covering crisis services for students, evidence-based training programs, and safety equipment; allows schools to contract for school psychologist services rather than only hiring full-time employees.

• Local STAR Program: Provides $500,000 for grants to city and town police departments to establish Support Team Assisted Response programs offering alternative responses by behavioral and medical health personnel to nonviolent situations.