The proposed "School Marshal Act" establishes a framework for the employment and training of school marshals within New Mexico public schools. It defines a school marshal as a retired or former law enforcement officer who has been certified and commissioned for at least three years and left their position in good standing. The act mandates that school marshals must undergo specific training developed by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Standards and Training Council, which includes firearms training, crisis intervention, and emergency response tactics. Additionally, school marshals are permitted to carry concealed firearms on school premises, contingent upon approval from the local school board and the public school insurance authority.

The act also outlines the responsibilities of local school boards in implementing the school marshal program, including ensuring that marshals meet the necessary qualifications and developing policies regarding the possession and storage of firearms. It specifies that school marshals are not entitled to retirement benefits and details the circumstances under which their status may be revoked. Furthermore, the act amends existing laws to clarify the legal carrying of firearms on school premises, allowing school marshals and other authorized personnel to carry weapons while prohibiting unlawful carrying by others. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-10A-40, 30-7-2.1