EAGLES Act 2025: National Threat Assessment Center Gets Major Expansion, Focuses on School Violence Prevention

The EAGLES Act of 2025 significantly expands the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC), aiming to prevent targeted violence, with a strong emphasis on school safety. This isn't just about reacting to tragedies; it's about trying to get ahead of them. The bill, named in honor of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, acknowledges that many acts of targeted violence are preceded by warning signs.

Zeroing in on Prevention

The core of the EAGLES Act is beefing up the NTAC's ability to identify and manage potential threats. This means more than just law enforcement; the bill specifically calls for collaboration with mental health professionals, school staff, and even community members. The idea is to create a network that can spot "concerning behaviors" (SEC. 2) early on and connect individuals with support before a crisis hits. The Act green lights the hiring of more personnel, specifically experts in child psychology and school threat assessment (SEC. 3).

School Safety in the Spotlight

A major chunk of this bill is dedicated to creating a national program specifically for preventing school violence (SEC. 3). This includes funding research into what works (and what doesn't) in school safety, developing training courses for schools and law enforcement, and setting up a website to share information. The goal is to have resources available in every state within a year of the program's launch. The Act requires collaboration with the Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services.

Dollars and Deadlines

Congress is putting its money where its mouth is, authorizing $10 million each year from 2026 through 2030 for this initiative (SEC. 3). That's a substantial investment, but it comes with a clear sunset date: the whole section shuts down on September 30, 2030, unless renewed. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that none of this money can be used for firearms training (SEC. 3). The Act requires a report to Congress within two years on the implementation of this section (SEC. 3).

Real-World Implications

Imagine a student who's been acting out, making concerning statements online, or showing a sudden interest in violent content. Under this expanded framework, teachers, counselors, and even peers might be better equipped to recognize these as potential red flags. The goal isn't to punish the student, but to get them help – counseling, support services, etc. – before things escalate. This could mean anything from a school counselor intervening to a more coordinated response involving mental health professionals, all the way to law enforcement in some cases. It could also mean workplaces better equipped to identify concerning behavior in employees. The NTAC saw a 553 percent increase in consultation activities from fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2022.

The Fine Print

While the bill's intent is clear, there are some potential sticking points. The phrase "concerning behavior" is used throughout, but it's not precisely defined. This leaves room for interpretation, and that could lead to inconsistent application or even profiling. There is a 79 percent decline in juvenile arrests in K12 communities that have received training from the Center. It's also worth noting that the bill repeals a section of the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000 (SEC. 3), streamlining the NTAC's authority under the Department of Homeland Security.