In 2019, Legislature enacted AB 1548 establishing the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. AB 1548 authorized the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to provide grants of up to $200,000 to non-profit organizations that are at high risk for violent attacks and hate crimes due to ideology, beliefs, or mission to improve their physical security. The non-profit organizations can use the grant funds for security guards, reinforced doors and gates, high-intensity lighting and alarms, and any other security enhancement consistent with the purpose of the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Assembly Bill 1664 (AB 1664) expands the program by adding an additional approved use of the grant funds and increasing the award limit.
Under AB 1664, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program can now distribute funds to the grant recipients to use for security training. Additionally, the grant recipients may use 5% of the grant funds awarded for paying staff, third-party contractors, or consultants to assist with the management and administration of the grant funds. Grant recipients may not spend more than $100,000 of the grant funds on construction or renovation activities done in support of the target hardening activities related to security. However, AB 1664 allows the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to now grant up to $500,000 per recipient. Schools that accept a Nonprofit Security Grant may be subject to California laws they may not otherwise be obligated to comply with.
AB 1664 does not amend the existing sunset date for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which will expire automatically on January 1, 2025.
(AB 1664 amend Section 8588.9 of the Government Code.)