Signed by Governor Matt Bevin

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill with amendment that establishes a state police resource officer program for public schools.

Highlights:

• Requires a KSPSRO to promote the safety and security of students and school personnel during school activities and on school property (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes a KSPSRO to assist with support activities and programs, including but not limited to (Sec. 2):

• Planning and implementing procedures that train and drill all school personnel to respond to crisis events, control access to the school property during the school day, and close or partially close the school property after students arrive; 

• Identifying risk and protective factors of students; and 

• Coordinating nurturing intervention and prevention efforts. 

• Prohibits a KSPSRO from addressing school discipline issues that do not constitute crimes or that do not impact the immediate health or safety of the students or school personnel (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits a KSPSRO from administering formal school discipline such as detentions, suspensions, or expulsions because these are the sole responsibility of school personnel (Sec. 2).

• Defines “Kentucky State Police school resource officer” or “KSPSRO” as a Kentucky State Police officer, CVE R Class, or Trooper R Class, who is employed by a school district as a school resource officer through the contract as secondary employment for the officer (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a KSPSRO to possess sworn law enforcement authority and must be trained in school-based policing and crisis response including all training required of school resource officers, and requires any contract entered into must include (Sec. 2):

• A provision specifying that he KSPSRO must follow the policies and procedures of the Department of the Kentucky Stae Police and must abide by federal, state, and local laws;

• A provision stipulating that the KSPSRO will be an employee of the school district, but will revert to the Department of Kentucky State Police employee status during such time that the KSPSRO takes police action pursuant to state or federal law;

• A provision stipulating that the school district will be responsible for worker’s compensation coverage for the KSPSRO; and 

• A provision detailing how liability coverage will be provided for any acts or omissions of the KSPSRO within the scope of his or her duties.

Full Bill Text