By Ryan Alessi
Scripps Howard News Service

WASHINGTON — The House Tuesday approved a bill encouraging states to create school safety hot lines in an effort to head off future Columbine-like school violence.

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Littleton, sponsored the measure, which would require that the U.S. Department of Education write letters to state educators saying that the states can use certain federal funds for the hot lines. The bill doesn't call for new money or cost taxpayers more, Tancredo said.

It does address what Tancredo called an increasing fear — from students and parents — that school violence is out of control.

"School safety hot lines allow students, teachers, parents and school employees the chance to notify authorities of behavior they think is harmful or unhealthy," Tancredo said. "We need to make sure that the states know they have the resources available."

The state Department of Education, law-enforcement agencies and private companies created the hot line more than a year ago after the Columbine High School shootings.

To reach Colorado's School Safety Hot Line, call (877) 542-SAFE.