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Senate approves bill allowing public and private schools to employ school safety officers, incorporates Guardian program
Summary
The Senate passed an engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 21 64 permitting public and private schools to employ school safety officers, authorizing contracts with private security firms and incorporating provisions of the West Virginia Guardian Program.
The sponsor described House Bill 21 64 as authorizing public and private schools — local school boards, public charter schools and private or religious schools — to employ school safety officers and to contract with private security firms.
The floor explanation said the bill requires background checks for school safety officers, specifies limits on detention powers, requires data sharing with the division of protective services, and incorporates provisions from Senate Bill 450 labeled the West Virginia Guardian Program. The measure also requires private security firms to be licensed pursuant to chapter 30 when contracted by schools.
On the floor, remarks emphasized the bill's intent to protect students and staff and to provide a legal framework for school security personnel. The clerk recorded a machine vote of 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent on final passage; the committee on finance moved and the Senate adopted a title amendment. The clerk will communicate the action to the House.
Sponsor remarks included: "This bill is a common sense bill. It will protect our students, staff, and our children," attributed to a senator who identified earlier as supporting the measure.
The bill's passage allows both public and private educational institutions to add school safety officers under the conditions and licensing requirements described on the floor.
