Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, and continuing with each school year thereafter, this bill provides that, if a local board of education has not entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a law enforcement agency to assign a school resource officer at each school within the local board of education's control, then a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction may assign at least one law enforcement officer to serve as a school resource officer (SRO) at the school to increase the protection and safety of students and school personnel during regular school hours when children are present on the school's premises, as well as during school-sponsored events. This bill authorizes such an officer assigned to a school to possess and carry a firearm on the grounds of the school at which the officer is assigned.
This bill provides that, if a law enforcement officer is assigned to a school as described above, then the chief of the law enforcement agency that assigned the law enforcement officer must notify the director of schools and the principal of the school of the following:
(1) The officer's assignment;
(2) The policies of the officer's employing law enforcement agency that the officer must follow;
(3) Procedures for communication among the LEA, officers, and local law enforcement agencies;
(4) A description of any policies, procedures, or other requirements that the officer must follow when responding to an emergency on school grounds;
(5) A procedure for addressing complaints against the officer; and
(6) The officer's assigned schedule at a school in the LEA.
This bill prohibits an LEA from impeding on the duties of an officer who is assigned to a school as described above.
ON AUGUST 28, 2023, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 7023, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #1 makes the following changes to this bill:
(1) Adds that, if a law enforcement officer is assigned to a school pursuant to this bill, then the chief of the law enforcement agency that assigned the law enforcement officer must notify the director of schools and the principal of the school of whether the officer carries a firearm; and
(2) Clarifies that a law enforcement officer who is assigned to a school pursuant to this bill does not need the joint written authorization of the director of schools in conjunction with the principal of the school to carry or possess a firearm on school property.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-4202(6), 49-6-4202, 49-6-815(a), 49-6-815