Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, and continuing with each school year thereafter, this bill provides that, if an LEA or public charter school has not adopted a policy authorizing a law enforcement officer to serve as a school resource officer (SRO) at each school within the local board of education's or public charter school governing body's control, then a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction may assign at least one law enforcement officer to serve as an 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 to possess and carry a firearm on the grounds of the school at which the officer is assigned.
If a law enforcement officer is assigned to a school as described above, then this bill requires the chief of the law enforcement agency that assigned the law enforcement officer to notify the director of schools or the director of the public charter school 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 or public charter school, 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 or public charter school.
This bill prohibits an LEA or public charter school from impeding on the duties of an officer who is assigned to a school as described above.

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