Bill > H3942

This bill establishes a new School Resource Officer (SRO) Fund administered by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. The fund will be used to provide financial support for cities, towns, regional school districts, and the state police to assign school resource officers in schools. The fund can be credited with legislative appropriations, public and private donations, grants, and earned interest. The commissioner can allocate funds to jurisdictions that demonstrate insufficient resources to assign an SRO on their own, without requiring additional legislative approval. An important provision of the bill requires the commissioner to submit an annual report by July 1st to various legislative bodies, including the house and senate clerks, committees on ways and means, and committees on education and public safety, detailing the fund's activities. School resource officers are typically law enforcement personnel assigned to schools to enhance safety and security, providing a visible protective presence and serving as a liaison between schools and local law enforcement.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3942