Senate Bill No. 402 aims to revise the definition of "retired police officer" in relation to the provision of armed security services in public schools. The bill stipulates that municipalities and local or regional boards of education cannot hire or contract with individuals for security services if they are prohibited from being hired by a law enforcement unit. This includes individuals who have been dismissed for malfeasance or serious misconduct or who resigned or retired during an investigation into such conduct. The bill maintains the existing requirement that security personnel must be either sworn members of local police departments or qualified retired police officers.

The bill further clarifies the definition of "retired police officer" by specifying that such individuals must have retired in good standing and not be prohibited from being hired by a law enforcement unit. It includes retired officers from local police departments, the State Police, federal law enforcement agencies, and out-of-state police departments, provided they meet the standards set by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-244a
PS Joint Favorable: 10-244a
File No. 301: 10-244a