The proposed bill would update current statutes by establishing the "Save Our Children School Safety Program" and the associated Fund within the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). This program would allow eligible schools to adopt policies that permit certain employees to carry concealed firearms on school grounds, contingent upon meeting specific training and certification requirements. The ADE would be responsible for creating rules for the program, maintaining a list of approved training programs, and providing reimbursements for training and safety equipment to eligible schools and employees. Additionally, the bill mandates the establishment of uniform training and certification standards by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) Board.

The bill also introduces new confidentiality requirements regarding the personally identifiable information of employees involved in the program, classifying violations as a class 1 misdemeanor. It emphasizes the importance of structured training and clear policies to enhance school safety while ensuring the confidentiality of personnel. Furthermore, it includes provisions for civil or criminal immunity for employees acting in good faith in defense of students and staff, and mandates reporting on the program's effectiveness. Overall, these updates aim to create a comprehensive framework for improving school safety through training and clear guidelines.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-249.20, 15-341, 41-1822, 35-190, 13-3102, 15-717.01, 15-701, 15-701.01, 15-481, 15-491, 15-342, 15-1224, 15-1125, 15-1126, 15-1223, 13-3108, 13-3120, 15-764, 15-761, 13-706, 13-105, 15-157, 15-107, 2008-2009, 39-101, 36-2267, 3-365, 41-5701.02, 41-5711, 15-1102