The bill in question, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1095, concerns the role and responsibilities of school resource officers (SROs) in Connecticut. It mandates that each local or regional board of education with an assigned SRO must have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a local law enforcement agency. This MOU must outline the SRO's duties, including interactions with students and staff, and a graduated response model for student discipline. The bill introduces new requirements for these MOUs, effective July 1, 2023, which include specifying SRO duties and procedures for student restraint, use of firearms, and school-based arrests. Additionally, the MOU must be posted on the school district's website and in the school where the SRO is assigned, and maintained in a central location within the school district.

The bill also stipulates that any MOU entered into, extended, updated, or amended on or after July 1, 2021, must require SROs to complete training related to social-emotional learning and restorative practices provided to certified school employees. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2023, and amends Section 10-233m of the general statutes. The fiscal impact statement attached to the bill indicates that there is no expected state or municipal fiscal impact, as the requirements can be met within existing resources. The bill has been reported favorably by the Education Committee.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-233m
ED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-233m
File No. 252: 10-233m