Democrat Senator Rebecca Millett said the bill she's working on would make sure funding is there to make those renovations.

She goes on to state the current statute lacks clarity as to what qualifies as safety, and this legislation would make it clear that security upgrades or installations are eligible.

Senator Millett said the majority of Maine's schools are old and in need of improvements to keep children safe. She stated "I know for some schools it's the matter of locking mechanisms on exterior doors. Some school shave locking system within each classroom. They can also have the intercom systems."

Senator Millett stated this could also include bulletproof glass on the exterior. She and supporters said this is only one solution to protecting kids.

The bill heads into a work session next.