HB298 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Education, School Resource Officers' Act, half of funding for hiring, training, and equipping of officers from local school system, contingent upon constitutional amendment creating Alabama Lottery Corporation

Summary

The bill creates the School Resource Officers' Program to fund half the cost of placing, training, and equipping SROs in public schools, with local districts covering the other half, and ties implementation to a statewide lottery amendment.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the School Resource Officers' Program to provide one-half of the funding needed for SROs in public K-12 schools in participating districts. Each participating school would receive an appropriation equal to half the average SRO salary and benefits annually; the remaining half would come from the local school system employing the SROs. SROs must meet state and federal requirements, pass background checks and health/weapons exams, and participate in ongoing training. The State Department of Education would lead and oversee the program and adopt necessary rules, and passage is contingent on a constitutional amendment creating the Alabama Lottery Corporation with proceeds dedicated to the Education Trust Fund for SROs, among other things.

Who It Affects

• Participating public K-12 school systems: would receive half of the funding needed to place SROs in their schools.
• Local school systems employing SROs: would be responsible for providing the other half of the funding and for implementing the SRO duties under contracts.
• School resource officers: would need to meet required standards, undergo regular training, and perform the duties outlined in the contracts.
• Students and school staff in participating schools: could experience increased safety and security and improved emergency/crisis planning due to SRO presence and duties.

Key Provisions

• Creates the School Resource Officers' Program to fund one-half of the costs to place SROs in public schools.
• Allocates an annual appropriation to each school in the program equal to one-half of the average SRO salary plus benefits; local systems fund the other half.
• Defines SRO requirements, including compliance with state/federal rules, background checks, health and weapons exams, and ongoing training.
• Requires contracts detailing SRO duties: promote a safe environment, support school staff, assist with emergency/crisis plans, serve as liaison with law enforcement, and address bullying and threats.
• Assigns the State Department of Education to lead, implement, oversee, and administer the program and adopt necessary rules.
• Makes the act contingent upon a statewide constitutional amendment creating the Alabama Lottery Corporation with net lottery proceeds dedicated to the Education Trust Fund for classroom supplies, SROs, and scholarships.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education