Two bills lawmakers passed this year qualify more schools for the states secured school grants, and expand how schools can use the money.

The juvenile student had a loaded handgun. Hed left classes earlier Wednesday and police say school resource officers had dealt with him earlier in the day.

Applications for the state's Secured School Safety Grant program opened Monday. The funding can be used for things like hiring school resource officers or making safety improvements to buildings.

The referendum aims to bring in an estimated $5 million a year for three years to fund school resource officers, teacher and staff training and mental health services for students.

After two school shootings last year, lawmakers named mental health services in schools a top priority. Many schools across the state say they need more: more counselors, therapists, funding and support.

Nothing in state law previously required schools to report to the Indiana High School Athletic Association when a coach who isnt an employee is convicted of a felony.

Some activists and parents wonder if the aftermath of the Noblesville West Middle School shooting fits the same story as other across the country -- shock and outrage, followed by calls for action, but few policies changed.

Mental health and social-emotional learning are a central topics for the two-day training, which comes after two school shootings in Indiana last year.

After two school shootings in Indiana last year, lawmakers and Governor Eric Holcomb called school safety a top priority.

The House Ways and Means Committee approved a bill this week to let schools ask for tax hikes for safety costs alone.