The proposed bill SB1469 amends existing Arizona law regarding the definition and qualifications of school resource officers (SROs) within the School Safety Program. Currently, the definition of a school resource officer includes only peace officers and full-authority reserve peace officers certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. The new bill expands this definition to include individuals who were previously employed as peace officers and retired in good standing, as well as veterans who are certified by the Board. This change aims to broaden the pool of qualified individuals who can serve as SROs in schools.

Additionally, the bill makes technical and conforming changes to ensure consistency with the new definitions. It clarifies that the Department of Education will continue to cooperate with local law enforcement agencies to assign SROs to schools, with the costs being covered by the state, except for any cost-sharing agreements. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance school safety by allowing more qualified individuals to serve as resource officers in educational settings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-154, 15-155, 41-2534, 35-190, 15-1911
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-154, 15-155, 41-2534, 35-190, 15-1911