2015 HB 28 requires police in every public school

HB 28, sponsored by Delegate Cluster, further restricts access to public schools, requires a, “school resource officer” in every public school, and subjects anyone deemed guilty of trespassing a fine and/or jail sentence. This bill was filed last year as HB 20.

This is a state level mandate on local school systems.

The school may deny access to all but pupils and staff.

(B) THE COUNTY BOARD, COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, PRINCIPAL, OR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OF ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL, OR A PERSON DESIGNATED IN WRITING BY THE BOARD OR ANY OF THESE PERSONS, MAY DENY ACCESS TO THE BUILDINGS OR GROUNDS OF THE SCHOOL TO ANY OTHER PERSON WHO:

(1) IS NOT A BONA FIDE, CURRENTLY REGISTERED STUDENT, OR STAFF OR FACULTY MEMBER AT THE SCHOOL, AND WHO DOES NOT HAVE LAWFUL BUSINESS TO PURSUE AT THE SCHOOL;

and

(E) A PERSON IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $1,000, IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 6 MONTHS, OR BOTH IF THE PERSON:

trespasses; fails or refuses to leave school grounds; willfully damages or defaces buildings or landscaping.

Further, every public school must have a, “school resource officer” and that, “officer” must be a retired, “law enforcement officer”:

(A) AT LEAST ONE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER SHALL BE ASSIGNED TO EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE STATE.
(B) IF A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE STATE DOES NOT HAVE AT LEAST ONE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO THE SCHOOL AS OF AUGUST 1, 2015, THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SCHOOL SHALL HIRE A RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO SERVE AS A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER FOR THE SCHOOL.

Per the fiscal and policy note, the FY2016 cost is at least $99,500,000.

Hearing 1/28 at 1:00 p.m.
Send email to the House Ways and Means Committee