Assigned to ED FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1600
officers; school employees; required training
Purpose
Requires each school district or charter school that employs one or more officers, including
through the School Safety Program (Program), to train each officer how to recognize and
effectively interact with children with disabilities.
Background
The Program supports, promotes and enhances safe and effective learning environments for
all students by supporting the costs of placing school resource officers, juvenile probation officers,
school counselors and school social workers on school campuses. A school district or charter school
may apply to participate in the school safety program for up to three fiscal years by submitting a
program proposal to the Arizona Department of Education by April 15. A Program proposal for
supporting the costs of placing school resource officers or juvenile probation officers, or both, on a
school campus must include: 1) a detailed description of school safety needs; 2) a plan for
implementing a law-related education program or a plan; 3) a plan to use trained school resource
officers or juvenile probation officers, or both, in the school; and 4) information on the success,
compliance and implementation of the most recent grant if the school district or charter school has
already participated in the Program (A.R.S. § 15-154).
School resource officer means a peace officer or a full-authority reserve peace officer who is
certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.
Child with a disability means a child who: 1) is at least 3 years but younger than 22 years of
age; 2) has been evaluated and found to have at least one of the specified disabilities; and 3) because
of the disability, needs special education and related services (A.R.S. § 15-761).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires each school district or charter school that employs officers on school campuses,
including indirect employment through the Program, to train each officer how to recognize and
effectively interact with children with disabilities.
2. Includes, as an officer:
a) a peace officer;
b) a full-authority reserve officer who is certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and
Training Board; and
c) a juvenile probation officer.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 27, 2024
MH/LB/slp