Bill > HB2076

This bill establishes the "Save Our Children School Safety Program" within the department to enhance school safety through employee training, medical preparedness, and crisis response. It mandates the department, in collaboration with the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) board, to create and maintain a list of approved training and certification programs for school employees, which will be available on the department's website. A dedicated fund, the "Save Our Children School Safety Program Fund," will be established to reimburse eligible schools and individuals for costs associated with approved training, school safety equipment, medical kits, or protective gear. The bill also allows eligible schools to authorize employees to carry concealed firearms on school grounds if they meet specific training and notification requirements, with provisions for the confidentiality of employees participating in these programs or authorized to carry firearms. Furthermore, it grants immunity from civil and criminal liability to certified school employees acting in good faith to defend students, staff, or visitors. The bill requires the department to submit a biennial report on the program's activities and outcomes. It also amends existing statutes to allow school administrators to authorize employees to carry concealed firearms on school grounds only as provided by this new program and to ensure that school district governing boards can adopt policies for employees to carry concealed firearms on school grounds, provided they meet the requirements of the new program. The Arizona POST board will also establish uniform standards for training and certification programs eligible for reimbursement under this program, including specific hours for firearms safety, tactical emergency casualty care, and scenario-based training, as well as annual recertification requirements.

Education, Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83646