HB209 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

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

Summary

HB 209 sets stricter qualifications for school resource officers and allows trained, armed SROs in Alabama schools.

What This Bill Does

Defines who counts as a retired law enforcement officer and who qualifies as a school resource officer, with certification and good standing requirements. Allows local boards of education to hire school security personnel or contract with police to provide school resource officers. Authorizes armed SROs on duty only if they meet criteria: certified or retired LEO, completed active shooter training, annual firearm requalification, and trained in the use of a non-lethal weapon. Clarifies that this act does not grant arrest powers and requires the State Department of Education to issue implementing rules; it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Local boards of education and school districts, who may hire or contract for school resource officers and set related firearm policies for on-duty personnel.
• Group 2: School resource officers and school security personnel, who must meet certification, training, requalification, and non-lethal weapon requirements to carry firearms on duty.

Key Provisions

• Defines Retired Law Enforcement Officer as someone who retired in good standing with at least 20 years of experience from a law enforcement agency.
• Defines School Resource Officer as a certified law enforcement officer (certification in good standing and power of arrest).
• Allows local boards to employ school security personnel or contract with police to provide SROs.
• Allows armed SROs or security personnel on duty if they are certified or retired LEOs, have completed active shooter training, annually complete firearm requalification, and carry a non-lethal weapon trained in its use.
• States that nothing in the act confers arrest powers on individuals.
• Requires the State Department of Education to promulgate implementing rules, including additional qualifications for employment as school security personnel or SROs.
• Effective date: first day of the third month after the bill becomes law.

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