FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2025
TCSO Hosts Inaugural Travis County School Safety Meeting in Compliance with HB 33
On Thursday, Nov. 20, law enforcement agencies, first responders and school leaders from across Travis County gathered for TCSO’s inaugural School Safety Meeting at Circuit of the Americas.
House Bill 33, otherwise known as the “Uvalde Strong Act,” passed earlier this year aiming to improve response to school shootings by ensuring that school districts and the law enforcement agencies that serve them are actively collaborating and innovating for the sake of their students. The law requires Texas sheriffs to conduct at least one annual meeting in which local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, ISD superintendents, first responders and emergency management representatives share information and develop standard operating agreements.
TCSO developed programming to address key required topics including school safety, coordinated response, chain of command, resources and radio interoperability. Thursday’s meeting featured insightful presentations delivered by experts from Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Association of School Boards, Austin Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
“I hate that we live in a day and time in which evil acts of violence are enacted on school campuses,” said Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez. “As hard as it is to consider, it is our duty to learn all we can and prepare to the very best of our ability. And we do. This law is the next step in preparedness.”
TCSO thanks all agencies who played a role in Thursday’s success and our friends at COTA for providing their amazing facilities for the meeting.
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Submitted By:
Kristen Dark, Sr. Public Information Officer | (512) 318-5669
Drew Knight, Public Information Specialist | (512) 854-8426