News

Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety (TAPS) Act of 2019 (S. 265), legislation that would create a task force of experts to provide recommendations for a national strategy to keep communities safe from targeted violence through threat assessment and management. Specifically, the legislation would help provide resources, training, and assistance in establishing and operating locally driven threat assessment and management units. Representative Brian Babin (R-TX) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. A one-pager of the legislation is available here.
 
“We must proactively engage with experts in the field of threat assessments in order to help prevent future tragedies,” Rubio said. “We have the expertise to implement systems to identify and stop dangerous individuals before they commit an act of violence, but we have yet to fully and effectively develop and utilize it to prevent future attacks. By bringing threat assessment experts together and utilizing evidence-based behavioral threat assessment and management processes, this bill will help equip our communities with the tools they need to prevent future tragedies. I want to thank Senators Sinema and Tillis for leading this effort with me in the Senate and Congressman Babin for his continued leadership in the House.”
 
“We must provide law enforcement with the tools they need to keep Arizona families safe and secure,” said Sinema. “I will work every day to protect Arizonans from senseless, tragic acts of violence.”
 
“We cannot allow mass casualty events to become the new normal in America, and it is imperative that we take strong proactive steps to prevent them,” said Tillis. “The bipartisan TAPS Act utilizes an innovative approach that is proven to be effective, creating a uniform program to identify threats and provide states with the opportunity to receive the training and resources necessary to save lives and keep our communities safe.”
 
“I am honored to reintroduce the TAPS Act this Congress with Marco Rubio leading the charge in the Senate,” said Babin. “Our nation is desperately looking for solutions to stop the senseless violence that affects too many of our communities and schools. This bipartisan bill will save lives by focusing efforts on prevention rather than simply reaction, because once the first shot is fired, it is too late. The TAPS Act will provide our states and local communities with the resources, training, and support needed to stand up community-driven, multidisciplinary behavioral threat assessment units – allowing us to connect the dots and manage threats before an attack can occur.”
 
The TAPS Act of 2019 will:

• Develop guidelines and best practices that can be utilized across government;
• Provide States the training, resources, and support they need in order to stand up community-based, multidisciplinary behavioral threat assessment and management units; and
• Establish a temporary task force made up of experts in behavioral threat assessment and management to make recommendations to Congress for a National Strategy for preventing targeted violence.

 
Endorsing Organizations: The Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE), National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations (NCSBI), Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), San Diego County District Attorney, San Diego County Office of Education, The Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD), The University of California Council of Chiefs of Police
 
The TAPS Act of 2019 continues to build on Rubio’s efforts to combat violence before it happens and ensure preventative, proactive measures are being implemented to keep communities safe. Additional actions by Rubio are below.
 
2019

• January 3: Ahead of One Year Anniversary of Parkland Shooting, Rubio Re-introduces “Red Flag” Bill
• January 24: Rubio Secures Full Funding for STOP School Violence Act in bill to reopen the government

 
2018

• February 16: Rubio visits Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
• February 26: Rubio, Nelson, Deutch Urge DOJ to Approve Florida Law Enforcement Reimbursement Request for Parkland Response
• February 27: Rubio Meets with Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students
• March 1: Rubio announces his intention on the Senate floor to introduce legislation to reduce school shootings
• March 5: Rubio introduces the Stop School Violence Act
• March 5: Rubio co-sponsors the NICS Denial Notification Act with Pat Toomey, Chris Coons, and Bill Nelson
• March 5: Rubio calls on the Department of Education to tighten guidelines for reporting dangerous behavior at school to law enforcement
• March 7: Rubio and Nelson outline bill on “gun-violence prevention orders” also known as “red flag”
• March 7: Rubio co-sponsors a bill with 12 other senators to increase funding for school counselors, alarm systems, security cameras and crisis intervention training
• March 8: Rubio Meets with Parkland Student Kyle Kashuv
• March 13: Rubio, Hatch meet with Parkland student Kyle Kashuv, Ryan and Patrick Petty.
• March 13: Rubio, Nelson and several other senators hold a press conference to promote the Stop School Violence Act
• March 14: Rubio testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee to promote his plans to reduce shootings
• March 14: Rubio meets with Parkland student Kyle Kashuv
• March 20: Rubio, Nelson Introduce Bill to Allow Tax Deductions for Charitable Donations to Groups Supporting Parkland Families
• March 21: Rubio Applauds Inclusion of STOP School Violence Act in Spending Bill
• March 22: Rubio, Nelson, Reed Introduce “Red Flag” Bill
• March 22: Rubio Introduces Bill to Ensure Schools Report Threats to Local Law Enforcement
• April 6: Rubio: We’re Investing in What Works to Reduce School Shootings and Make Schools Safer
• April 18: PHOTOS: Rubio, Nelson Host Experts and Leaders for National School Safety Forum
• April 23: Following Rubio Request, DOJ Reimburses Florida Law Enforcement for Parkland Response
• April 26: Rubio Urges Education, Justice Depts to Review Broward County Schools’ Discipline and Safety Policies
• May 16: Following Recent Violence in Liberty City, Rubio Introduces Bill to Improve Safety Standards for Public Housing Tenants
• June 5: VIDEO: Rubio Continues to Press Education Dept on Obama-Era School Discipline Guidelines
• June 14: Rubio Secures $100 Million to Implement Stop School Violence Act
• June 14: Rubio Secures Key Funding for STOP School Violence Act, Florida’s Environmental Priorities
• August 24: Rubio Secures Key Funding to Address School Safety, South Florida Algal Blooms

 
TV Appearances

• CNN hosts town hall on gun policy in America
• Rubio Discusses Broward County High School Tragedy on Fox News
• On Senate Floor, Rubio Announces Senate Plan to Address Gun Violence
• On Senate floor, Rubio speaks about Broward County School Tragedy
• Earlier on CBS WPB, Rubio Discusses School Safety Plan
  On Fox 7 Miami, Rubio Discusses School Safety Plan
  On NBC WPB, Rubio Discusses Gun Safety Proposals
• Rubio Discusses Gun Safety Plan with WFTL’s Rich Stevens Show
• On Fox 13 Tampa Bay, Rubio discusses gun safety proposal
• Rubio discusses progress on plan to address gun violence
• CBS Orlando: Rubio Leads Push for Gun Violence Bill
• On Fox 13 Tampa, Rubio discusses gun violence prevention bill, North Korea
• Rubio Remarks at Stop School Violence Act Press Conference
• Rubio Speaks at Judiciary Committee on Parkland
  It’s time for the Senate to Pass the Stop School Violence Act
• Rubio Applauds Inclusion of STOP School Violence Act in Spending Bill
• Rubio, Nelson, Reed Host Press Conference to Introduce “Red Flag” Bill
• On WPB NBC, Rubio discusses his gun safety proposals
• Rubio Pushes for Bipartisan ‘Red Flag’ Law