HB 2820
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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-fifth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: ED DP 6-4-0-0
HB 2820: school safety; school resource officers
Sponsor: Representative Hernandez A, LD 3
Caucus & COW
Overview
Modifies the situations to which school resource officers (SROs) and juvenile probation officers
(JPOs) are authorized to respond. Requires SROs to complete two required trainings by January
1, 2023. Appropriates a total of $241,500 to cover the costs of the required trainings.
History
Statute permits a school to use restraint or seclusion techniques on a pupil if the pupil’s behavior
presents an imminent danger of bodily harm or if less restrictive interventions do not reduce the
threat. A school may choose to summon law enforcement rather than use these techniques.
Statute also authorizes SROs to respond to situations that present the imminent danger of bodily
harm according to protocols established by the SRO's law enforcement agency (A.R.S. § 15-105).
The School Safety Program (Program), established within the Arizona Department of Education
(ADE), supports, promotes, and enhances safe and effective learning environments for all
students by supporting the costs of placing SROs, JPOs, school counselors and school social
workers on school campuses. Schools may apply to participate in the Program for up to three
fiscal years (A.R.S. § 15-154).
An SRO is a peace officer or a full-authority reserve police officer who is certified by the Arizona
Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (A.R.S. § 15-154).
Provisions
1. Authorizes SROs and JPOs to respond to any suspected crime that:
a) Is against a person or property that is a serious offense;
b) Involves a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or serious physical injury; or
c) Involves any conduct that poses a threat of death or serious physical injury to employees,
students or anyone on school property. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires a memorandum of understanding or other agreement, to hire an SRO or JPO,
between a school district or charter school (school) and a law enforcement agency to provide
that the SRO or JPO:
a) Focus on building positive relationships with pupils, school staff and the community;
b) Is not responsible for pupil discipline unless authorized to respond; and
c) Complete prescribed trainings. (Sec. 3)
3. Mandates SROs and JPOs who serve on school grounds complete, by January 1, 2023, the
following training courses administered by a national association of SROs:
a) A basic SRO course; and
b) An adolescent mental health training. (Sec. 3)
4. Prohibits schools from allowing an SRO or JPO on campus if the SRO or JPO has not
completed the required trainings by January 1, 2023. (Sec. 3) HB 2820
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5. Directs schools, by September 1 annually, to report to ADE the number of SROs or JPOs per
school and the agencies of each SRO or JPO. (Sec. 3)
6. Appropriates the following amounts from the state General Fund in FY 2022 to ADE to
distribute to schools to cover the costs of the required trainings for SROs and JPOs:
a) $173,250 for the basic school officer training course; and
b) $68,250 for the adolescent mental health training course. (Sec. 4)
7. Exempts the appropriations from lapsing. (Sec. 4)
8. Defines JPO, dangerous instrument, deadly weapon and serious physical injury. (Sec. 1, 2)
9. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)
10. Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 2)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note