To enact section 3313.5310 of the Revised Code with respect to metal detectors in public schools.

Section 1. That section 3313.5310 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 3313.5310. (A) Within ninety days after the effective date of this section, the director of public safety, in consultation with the superintendent of public instruction, shall develop a process through which the board of education of a school district, the governing authority of a community school established under Chapter 3314., the governing body of a STEM school established under Chapter 3326., or the board of trustees of a college-preparatory boarding school established under Chapter 3328. of the Revised Code may submit an application for federal or other financial assistance in the installation of metal detectors at the entrances to one or more classroom buildings of the district or school should the district or school decide, at its own discretion, to install metal detectors.

(B) The executive director of the Ohio emergency management agency, in consultation with the superintendent of public instruction, shall take all actions necessary to obtain any federal or other funding available to assist schools in metal detector acquisition, installation, and operation, including but not limited to applying for funds from the federal homeland security program.

(C) Beginning one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this section, any entity described in division (A) of this section may submit an application for financial assistance in the installation of metal detectors according to the application process established pursuant to this section.

No district or school shall be required to install metal detectors or to apply for financial assistance through this section. Nor should it be construed that this section provides the sole method to fund the installation of metal detectors at schools.