Today marks the third anniversary of the Parkland school shooting. I want to take a moment to remember the 17 victims and their families whose lives were forever changed by this terrible act.

Today though is also about action...

It is a tragedy that events like those at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are not more rare. Students and parents alike deserve to know that their place of learning is a safe haven, free of violence. 

This is why I am proud to announce my Co-sponsorship of HB 951, "Reporting of School Safety Issues." This bill, by Representative Dan Daley, requires schools to notify parents and staff within 24 hours when a threat or incident has taken place on campus and to include what actions were taken in response to the threat. It also establishes a hotline for parents and students to use to report safety issues.

We never want students to be in danger in their classrooms. However, when dangerous incidents do occur, the school has a responsibility to make sure parents and staff are aware of the situation. 

By listening to the students on the ground and providing support to teachers and parents in the aftermath of a traumatic event, we can create safer atmospheres for learning and make sure the healing process begins as soon as possible.

As lawmakers, it is our job to learn from the events of the past. We are working to enact real changes that will prevent shootings like the one in Parkland from ever happening again. As we remember those 17 individuals who died that day, we fight for a safer future for students in every school in this country.