By Emily Ketterer
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS — In a nearly unanimous vote, the House passed a catch-all school safety bill, but one lawmaker rose in opposition because the proposed legislation does not arm teachers.

Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, took to the House floor to explain why he was voting against House Bill 1004, despite the bipartisan support. The bill would allow schools more flexibility when applying for grants to cover the cost of safety equipment, resource officers and mental health services. It passed in a 96-2 vote.

Lucas provided a summary of a large safety report done by the state of Florida after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last year. He used the report to argue that the legislation does not do enough to protect schools.

The report, he said, points out the lapses in response by the school and safety officials, such as a faculty member seeing the student walk into the building with a weapon and that the shooter was receiving mental health treatment for years prior to the shooting.

He said after the investigation, the only improvement for school safety the report recommends is to give firearms to teachers.

“That’s the only thing that’s going to stop a shooter that’s passed through all these safeguards that we’re sitting here trying to implement right now,” Lucas said.

Other lawmakers from both parties rose in support and commended the author of the bill, Rep. Wendy McNamara, R-Evansville, for working to include amendments made by other legislators.

“Students remain to walk through our doors each and every day with some sort of fear,” McNamara said. “If this bill does the least bit to help alleviate some of those fears, then we’re heading down the right direction.”

The bill passed 96-2, with Rep. Curt Nisly, R-Milford, joining Lucas in voting no. It will head to the Senate for action.

Emily Ketterer is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.