HB236 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Education, school resource officers, qualifications further provided for, Sec. 16-1-44.1 am'd.

Summary

HB 236 expands who can serve as a school resource officer and sets firearm and training requirements for SROs and school security personnel.

What This Bill Does

It lets local boards hire as school resource officers retirees from federal or state agencies with 25+ years of law enforcement, in addition to the existing option to contract with police or sheriff. It allows SROs and security personnel to carry firearms on duty only if they meet certification and training requirements, complete annual firearm requalification, and carry a non-lethal weapon. It restricts the power of arrest to POST-certified SROs, and requires the State Department of Education to issue rules to implement these provisions. The changes would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education and school districts in Alabama, who can hire SROs from more sources (including long-tenured retirees) and must implement related training and firearm policies.
• School resource officers and school security personnel (including retirees and certified officers) who must meet firearm, training, and qualification standards and are subject to arrest-power restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Local boards may employ school security personnel.
• Local boards may contract with a local chief of police or sheriff to employ school resource officers.
• A local board may also employ as a school resource officer a person who retired in good standing from a federal or state agency with at least 25 total years of law enforcement experience.
• A local board or SRO/security personnel may carry a firearm on duty if: (a) they are POST-certified in good standing or retired with 20+ years of law enforcement experience and have completed active shooter training approved by the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency; (b) they annually complete firearm requalification required by POST; (c) they carry a non-lethal weapon and are trained in its use.
• Only POST-certified SROs have the power of arrest.
• The State Department of Education shall issue rules to implement these provisions, including additional qualifications for employment as school security personnel or SROs.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and governor’s approval.

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