Texas House Bill 33 (“Uvalde Strong Act”): Strengthening School Safety with Ballistic Shields
Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Overview
House Bill 33, formally known as the Uvalde Strong Act, was signed into law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect at the beginning of the 2025–2026 school year. Sparked by the Robb Elementary tragedy, this legislation introduces comprehensive safety mandates aimed at enhancing preparedness and physical security across Texas schools.
Key Provisions Affecting Schools
1. Enhanced Emergency Operations Plans
School districts must implement multi-hazard emergency operations plans (EOPs) that span prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. These plans also require standardized emergency response terminology for seamless communication among law enforcement, emergency services, and school personnel.
2. Regular Audits and Security Reviews
Districts must conduct safety and security audits—including security reviews—at least once every three years and whenever a facility is built, renovated, or acquired. These reviews must help identify and mitigate vulnerabilities to active shooter incidents.
3. Mandatory Equipment: Breaching Tool & Ballistic Shield
Critically, each campus must now have at least one breaching tool and one ballistic shield available in the event of an active shooter incident.
4. Funding Support
Ballistic shields and breaching tools are allowable purchases under the School Safety Allotment and the SAFE Grant (Tier 2), provided compliance with relevant facility standards Texas Education Agency.
5. Broader Enhancements
The bill also requires appointment of certified public information officers, annual school-law enforcement safety coordination, and active shooter response policy adoption by local law enforcement.
Compliance Guidance for Ballistic Shields
- Ballistic shields should ideally be rated NIJ Level IIIA minimum, with best practice recommending NIJ Level III or higher for rifle protection.
- Common shield sizes range from 20×30 to 24×36 inches, with ergonomically designed carrying systems to minimize fatigue, although other sizes are acceptable.
- Proper storage is essential: cool, dry environments and easily accessible during emergencies.
Caliber Armor: Ready-to-Use Shields That Meet HB 33 Standards
Caliber Armor, a trusted manufacturer of protective gear, offers a full lineup of durable ballistic shields, available in Louisville, Kentucky (and shipping nationwide) Our product catalog includes:
- Pistol-Rated Shields (NIJ Level IIIA/HG2)
- Rifle-Rated Shields (NIJ Level III+/RF2)
- Sizes and styles equipped with pivot handles, streamlined grips, and mini variants
These offerings align well with HB 33 recommendations:
- NIJ Threat Levels: Caliber Armor clearly labels shields by NIJ threat levels—including IIIA and III+—so districts can match their protection
- Multiple Size Options: Our catalog includes various sizes and grip options (pivot, streamlined, mini) to accommodate different deployment needs and ease of handling.
- Local Fulfillment: With operations in Louisville, KY, Caliber Armor offers quick shipping and direct customer support—helpful for Texas districts managing timelines and logistics.
Texas House Bill 33 marks a pivotal step in improving school safety by mandating both review processes and tangible protective tools. Shield procurement, when paired with well-crafted emergency plans, regular audits, ongoing training, and strategic deployment, becomes a powerful defense layer. Caliber Armor’s NIJ-rated, ergonomically designed shields offer practical, compliant solutions for school districts stepping up to meet the new law’s requirements.
