Bill > HB2297

This bill amends the existing School Resource Officer (SRO) Grants Program to require local school boards to either apply for a grant to place a school resource officer in every public elementary and secondary school or provide a detailed written explanation for why they are not seeking such a grant. Specifically, the bill modifies the School Resource Officer Incentive Grants Fund to mandate that any school division without an SRO in each public school must take action to address this gap. School resource officers are defined as certified law enforcement officers employed to help ensure school safety, prevent truancy, and reduce violence. The bill allows grants to be used for equipment and training for SROs and other school safety personnel, but explicitly prohibits using funds for purchasing firearms, handcuffs, or stun weapons. The grant program will be administered by the Board in consultation with the Board of Education, with grants potentially matching local funding based on the locality's ability to pay. While the requirement to place SROs in every school has a contingent effective date dependent on state funding, the bill aims to comprehensively increase school safety personnel across public schools.

Education

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2297