New school safety law means more officers, technology and training

Horne joins lawmakers, educators and law enforcement praising new law

PHOENIX – More armed school campus officers, added safety technology and training are highlights of bipartisan school safety legislation that has now become law.

HB 2074, sponsored by Rep. Matt Gress (R) – Phoenix, was approved by the legislature in April and signed into law by Gov. Hobbs on Tuesday. The measure expands the highly successful School Safety Program in multiple ways, including allowing retired law enforcement officers to be eligible to serve as school officers.

State schools superintendent Tom Horne stated, “I am very pleased that this bill has become law. There is a need for more armed officers in schools and expanding the pool of available law enforcement professionals to include those who have retired in good standing is a commonsense idea that will put more officers in schools, making campuses safer. The added training and technology will increase the value of this successful program that makes our students, educators and staff safer on campus.”

Representative Gress said, “Schools must be places where all students, teachers, and staff feel safe. I’m proud that this bill has been signed—crafted through collaboration with educators, certified mental health professionals, law enforcement, legislators, and Superintendent Tom Horne—into law. This marks a major step forward in implementing meaningful, commonsense school safety enhancements.”

The law provides for schools to add safety equipment and infrastructure. In addition, districts and charters will train officers on how to interact with students with disabilities as well as receive training on civil rights, adolescent mental health issues and student privacy law. The law also requires districts and charters to prepare and submit a campus emergency response plan.