Bill > SB0257

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 that local boards of education and public charter school governing bodies adopt policies outlining the duties, responsibilities, and authority of these new SROs, with specific requirements to ensure compliance with privacy laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). The bill also allows these new SROs to possess and carry firearms on school grounds, subject to certain conditions, including authorization, prior law enforcement or military service, compliance with peace officer standards and training (POST) commission regulations, and completion of 40 hours of basic school policing training. The legislation makes technical amendments to various sections of Tennessee Code to align with these changes and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.