HB426 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

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

HB426 would create a School Resource Officers' Program to fund half the cost of placing SROs in public K-12 schools, with the other half paid by local districts, and would tie funding to a proposed lottery amendment.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the School Resource Officers' Program to provide 50% of the funding needed to hire, train, and equip SROs in participating public schools. Each school would receive an appropriation equal to half the average SRO salary plus benefits, while the local district employing the SRO would provide the remaining half. SROs would have to meet state and federal requirements (including background checks, health and weapons exams) and attend ongoing training; contracts would specify duties such as promoting safety, enforcing rules, assisting with emergency plans, acting as a liaison with law enforcement, and addressing bullying and threats. The Alabama Department of Education would oversee and administer the act, and passage would depend on a statewide constitutional amendment creating the Alabama Lottery Corporation with lottery proceeds dedicated to Education Trust Fund for classroom supplies, SROs, and scholarships.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 schools in participating districts would have SROs placed in their schools and would receive 50% of the funding for each SRO from the program, with the other 50% funded locally.
• Local school systems and the school resource officers they employ would be responsible for funding the remaining half, ensuring compliance with requirements, and operating under MOUs that define duties and responsibilities.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the School Resource Officers' Program to fund 50% of the cost to place SROs in public schools, with each school receiving half of the average SRO salary plus benefits.
• The remaining 50% of required funding must come from the local school system that employs the SRO.
• SROs must meet state and federal requirements (including background checks, health and weapons exams) and participate in continuing education and training.
• Contracts or MOUs must define SRO duties, including promoting safety, supporting school staff, implementing emergency/crisis plans, acting as a liaison with law enforcement, and addressing bullying and threats.
• The State Department of Education will lead, implement, and oversee the act and adopt necessary rules.
• Passage of the act is contingent on a statewide constitutional amendment creating the Alabama Lottery Corporation with net proceeds dedicated to the Education Trust Fund for classroom instructional supplies, SROs, and scholarships.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor.

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