School safety: school security officers and security guards.
The enactment of SB 390 imposes additional responsibilities on school districts and community colleges by requiring them to deliver the mandated training during regular work hours. This represents a notable shift from the previous law, which allowed some flexibility based on the number of hours worked by the personnel. Consequently, local educational institutions may incur increased operational costs associated with fulfilling these training requirements. However, it is stipulated that the state will reimburse local agencies for any mandated costs identified by the Commission on State Mandates, helping to alleviate potential financial burdens.
Senate Bill 390, introduced by Senator Umberg, focuses on enhancing school safety by establishing stricter training requirements for school security personnel. The bill amends sections of the Business and Professions Code and the Education Code, mandating that all school security officers and security guards working at K-12 and community colleges complete specific training while eliminating exemptions based on hours worked. This change aims to ensure that security personnel are adequately prepared to handle diverse and increasingly challenging situations on school campuses.
The general sentiment surrounding SB 390 has been largely supportive, reflecting a growing emphasis on student and staff safety within educational environments. Legislators, educators, and security professionals tend to agree on the importance of well-trained security personnel capable of responding to emergencies and ensuring a safe school atmosphere. However, there are concerns about the impact on local school budgets, especially in districts that may struggle to accommodate the additional training hours without supplementary state funding.
Notable points of contention center around the logistical implications for schools, particularly regarding the push to ensure that all security personnel receive consistent training regardless of their contractual hours. There are also discussions regarding the potential strain on already limited resources in some school districts, particularly those that may face challenges in addressing the required training effectively. Overall, the bill highlights the ongoing debate about balancing safety needs with financial practicality in the education sector.