Bill > HB0214

This bill expands the definition of a "school resource officer" (SRO) in Tennessee to include retired law enforcement officers from federal, state, or local agencies and honorably discharged veterans of the United States armed forces. Local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools are now permitted to employ these individuals to provide security on school premises. The bill requires each local board of education and public charter school governing body that intends to hire such SROs to adopt a comprehensive policy outlining their duties, responsibilities, and authority, while ensuring compliance with federal privacy laws like FERPA. The legislation also clarifies that these new types of SROs are permitted to possess and carry firearms on school grounds, subject to specific authorization and training requirements. To qualify, these SROs must be authorized to possess a firearm, obtain joint written authorization from the school director and principal, have either law enforcement or military experience, comply with peace officer standards and training (POST) commission regulations, and complete 40 hours of basic school policing training at their own expense. The bill makes numerous technical amendments to existing Tennessee law to align with these new provisions and will take effect on July 1, 2025.