SB255 Alabama 2019 Session

Under existing law, a local board of education may hire persons as school security personnel and may contract with a local chief of police or sheriff to employ school resource officers. Also under existing law, a local school board of education may authorize school security personnel and school resource officers to carry a firearm while on duty if they satisfy certain qualifications.

This bill would provide that if a local board of education hires a retired law enforcement officer to serve as school security personnel, the board may authorize the retired law enforcement officer to carry a firearm on duty if he or she meets the following requirements: (1) is retired in good standing from a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency with at least 25 years of law enforcement experience; (2) has successfully completed active shooter training approved by the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency; (3) annually completes and passes the firearm requalification required of law enforcement officers by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission; and (4) is trained in the appropriate use of a non-lethal weapon and while on duty carries that weapon.

Relating to education; to amend Section 16-1-44.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the qualifications of school resource officers.