EAGLES Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26]
- Committees
- Education and Workforce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 13, 2025
Bottom line
This bill aims to prevent targeted violence, especially in schools, by enhancing and expanding the Secret Service's behavioral threat assessment research, training, and consultation capabilities with dedicated funding.
What it actually does
This bill reauthorizes and expands the functions of the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) within the Secret Service, under the Department of Homeland Security, until September 30, 2030. It formally codifies NTAC's core functions, establishes a national program specifically for targeted school violence prevention, and authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support these expanded activities. The bill also mandates research, training, and coordination with other federal agencies and local entities, while allowing for the hiring of specialized personnel.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the NTAC's evidence-based behavioral threat assessment model is a proven and effective method for preventing targeted violence, citing a 79% decline in juvenile arrests in K-12 communities that received training. They emphasize that early intervention and connecting individuals to community resources can prevent violent conduct and divert youth from the criminal justice system, honoring the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School attack by expanding a critical preventative approach.
Opponents contend
Critics might express concerns about the expansion of federal involvement in local school safety, potential overreach of law enforcement in behavioral assessments, or the allocation of funds to a federal agency for functions that could be handled at the state or local level. Some might also question the long-term effectiveness or privacy implications of extensive data collection and sharing for threat assessment, or argue that the funding could be better spent on direct mental health services or physical security measures.
The bill is concise and clearly structured, making it accessible for a quick but thorough review by an informed reader.
Section 3(a), inserting 18 U.S.C. 3056B(a) and (b)
Establishment and Core Functions of the National Threat Assessment Center
This provision formally establishes the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) within the Secret Service and codifies its primary functions. These functions include providing training and education on best practices for threat assessment, offering consultation on complex cases, conducting research on targeted violence prevention, facilitating information sharing among relevant agencies, and developing evidence-based programs to standardize threat assessments.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that formally establishing and codifying NTAC's functions ensures its continued operation and provides a clear mandate for its critical work in preventing targeted violence, building on its proven track record.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against the formal codification of an existing, effective federal center, though some might generally question the scope of federal agencies.
Tradeoffs
Balances the need for a centralized, expert resource for threat assessment with potential concerns about federal overreach into local matters.
Section 3(a), inserting 18 U.S.C. 3056B(c)
National Program on Targeted School Violence Prevention
This section directs NTAC to establish a national program specifically focused on preventing targeted school violence. It requires NTAC to conduct and publish research on school violence and prevention practices, develop and offer training courses to local educational agencies and other entities, coordinate with federal agencies like the Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services, and consult with state and local officials. It also mandates a plan to offer training in every state within one year.
Section 3(a), inserting 18 U.S.C. 3056B(f) and (i)
Authorization of Appropriations and Termination
This provision authorizes an appropriation of $10,000,000 for the National Threat Assessment Center for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. It also includes a sunset clause, stating that the entire section establishing and expanding NTAC's functions will terminate on September 30, 2030. This sets a five-year funding window and a clear expiration date for the expanded authorities.
States that funds made available to carry out this section may not be used to train any person in the use of a firearm.
Section 3(a), inserting 18 U.S.C. 3056B(g)
Why it matters:This is likely a legislative compromise or a clarification to address potential concerns that 'threat assessment' or 'public safety' training might implicitly include firearms instruction. It's standard legislative practice to include such specific limitations to define the scope of a program.
Case for: Supporters would argue this ensures the bill's focus remains purely on behavioral threat assessment and prevention strategies, rather than expanding federal involvement in firearms training, which is often a contentious issue. It clearly defines the scope of the program's activities.
Case against: Critics might argue that in certain contexts, a holistic approach to school safety could include training for armed personnel, and this prohibition limits the flexibility of local entities to use federal resources for comprehensive security measures. However, the bill explicitly states it doesn't preclude other laws, so this is a minor point.
Estimated impact: Ensures that the $10 million annual appropriation is exclusively used for non-firearm-related threat assessment activities, directing resources towards behavioral and preventative measures.