Second Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 24-0179.02 Conrad Imel x2313
HOUSE BILL 24-1310
House Committees Senate Committees
Education
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING MEASURES TO IMPROVE SCHOOL SAFETY , AND, IN101
CONNECTION THEREWITH , ESTABLISHING QUALIFICATIONS FOR102
SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS AND REGULATING FIREARM103
STORAGE ON SCHOOL GROUNDS .104
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
The bill permits a school district, charter school, or board of
cooperative services (local education provider) to employ or retain by
contract a person as a school security officer only if:
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Parenti and Hamrick,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
(None),
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. ! The local education provider has a policy that governs
security officers' engagement with students;
! The person completes school security officer or school
resource officer training; and
! The person undergoes a background check and a
psychological evaluation.
The bill permits a school security officer to carry a handgun on
school property if the school security officer holds a valid permit to carry
a concealed handgun; completes firearms training, including ongoing
in-service training; and passed the peace officer standards and training
board's firearms skills test or an equivalent firearms skills test.
Existing law prohibits carrying, bringing, or possessing a deadly
weapon on school property and includes exceptions to the prohibition,
including for the purpose of a school employee carrying out necessary
duties and functions that require the use of a deadly weapon. The bill
repeals the exception for a school employee carrying out the employee's
duties and expressly permits a school security officer to carry a handgun
on school grounds, as described above.
The bill prohibits a school or law enforcement agency from storing
firearms on the grounds of a public or private elementary, middle, junior
high, or high school.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds and declares that:3
(a) Acts of school and workplace violence, whether accidental or4
intentional, threaten life, safety, and security;5
(b) The safety and security of students and staff in our schools is6
of utmost importance to the entire state; and7
(c) Education and training for school security personnel can8
reduce the risk of injury or death by firearms in our schools.9
(2) Therefore, the general assembly finds it necessary to establish10
minimum qualifications for school security officers and requirements for11
school security officers to carry firearms on school grounds.12
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-1-144 as13
HB24-1310-2- follows:1
22-1-144. School security officers - qualifications - authority2
to possess a handgun on school grounds - definitions. (1) A
S USED IN3
THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :4
(a) "L
ICENSED OR AUTHORIZED PERSON " MEANS A PERSON WHO5
HOLDS A VALID TEACHER LICENSE, SPECIAL SERVICES LICENSE, PRINCIPAL6
LICENSE, ADMINISTRATOR LICENSE, OR AUTHORIZATION ISSUED PURSUANT7
TO ARTICLE 60.5 OF THIS TITLE 22.8
(b) "L
OCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER" MEANS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, A9
CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY A SC HOOL DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PART10
1
OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF THIS TITLE 22, A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY11
THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE PURSUANT TO PART 5 OF ARTICLE12
30.5
OF THIS TITLE 22, OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE SERVICES CREATED13
AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 5 OF THIS TITLE 22 THAT14
OPERATES ONE OR MORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS .15
(c) "P.O.S.T.
BOARD" MEANS THE PEACE OFFICERS STANDARDS16
AND TRAINING BOARD CREATED IN SECTION 24-31-302.17
(d) (I) "S
CHOOL SECURITY OFFICER" MEANS A PERSON WHO IS18
EMPLOYED OR RETAINED BY CONTRACT BY A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER19
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION AND WHOSE PRIMARY20
DUTIES DIRECTLY INVOLVE THE PROTECTION OF STUDENTS , OTHER21
PERSONS, AND SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS .22
(II) "S
CHOOL SECURITY OFFICER" DOES NOT INCLUDE:23
(A) A
LICENSED OR AUTHORIZED PERSON WHO , AS PART OF THE24
PERSON'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONTRACT WITH A LOCAL EDUCATION25
PROVIDER, PERFORMS DUTIES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE PERSON'S LICENSE26
OR AUTHORIZATION;27
HB24-1310
-3- (B) A PERSON WHO IS NOT A LICENSED OR AUTHORIZED PERSON ,1
WHO IS EMPLOYED OR RETAINED BY CONTRACT BY A DISTRICT CHARTER2
SCHOOL OR INSTITUTE CHARTER SCHOOL TO PERFORM DUTIES FOR WHICH3
THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE SCHOOL TO HIRE OR RETAIN LICENSED OR4
AUTHORIZED PERSONS IS WAIVED PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-30.5-104 (6)5
OR 22-30.5-507 (7); OR6
(C) A
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER , AS DEFINED IN SECTION7
22-32-109.1.8
(2) A
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER MAY EMPLOY OR RETAIN BY9
CONTRACT A PERSON AS A SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER ONLY IF :10
(a) T
HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER HAS A POLICY FOR SCHOOL11
SECURITY OFFICERS THAT GOVERNS WHEN AND HOW A SCHOOL SECURITY12
OFFICER ENGAGES WITH STUDENTS ;13
(b) T
HE PERSON EMPLOYED OR RETAINED AS A SCHOOL SECURITY14
OFFICER HAS:15
(I) C
OMPLETED A SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER TRAINING COURSE ,16
OR AN EQUIVALENT COURSE , PROVIDED OR CERTIFIED BY A NATIONAL17
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS THAT REQUIRES AT LEAST18
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF INSTRUCTION AND INCLUDES INSTRUCTION ON19
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUTH , IDENTIFYING AND RESPONDING TO20
BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES , AND DE-ESCALATION21
STRATEGIES; OR22
(II) C
OMPLETED SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER TRAINING THAT23
SATISFIES THE CURRICULUM IDENTIFIED BY THE PEACE OFFICER24
STANDARDS AND TRAINING BOARD PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-31-312;25
(c) (I) I
F THE PERSON IS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR26
CHARTER SCHOOL; THE PERSON HAS SUBMITTED TO A BACKGROUND27
HB24-1310
-4- INVESTIGATION AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 22-30.5-110.5, 22-30.5-511.5,1
OR 22-32-109.8, AS APPLICABLE; AND NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION2
22-30.5-110.7
(5) OR 22-32-109.8 (5), AS APPLICABLE, THE SCHOOL3
DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL HAS RECEIVED FAVORABLE RESULTS OF THE4
PERSON'S BACKGROUND CHECK; OR5
(II) I
F THE PERSON IS RETAINED BY CONTRACT BY A SCHOOL6
DISTRICT, THE CONTRACT COMPLIES WITH THE BACKGROUND CHECK7
REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 22-32-122 (4); OR IF THE PERSON IS RETAINED8
BY CONTRACT BY A CHARTER SCHOOL , THE CONTRACT REQUIRES A9
BACKGROUND CHECK OF THE PERSON THAT SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS10
IN SECTION 22-32-122 (4); AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER11
SCHOOL HAS RECEIVED FAVORABLE RESULTS OF THE PERSON 'S12
BACKGROUND CHECK ; AND13
(d) W
ITHIN SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE OF EMPLOYMENT OR14
BEING RETAINED BY CONTRACT AS A SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER , THE15
PERSON HAS UNDERGONE A PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION PERFORMED BY16
EITHER A COLORADO-LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST OR A COLORADO-LICENSED17
PSYCHIATRIST.18
(3) A
SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER MAY ONLY POSSESS A HANDGUN ,19
AS DEFINED IN SECTION 18-12-101, WHILE ON DUTY IN OR ON THE REAL20
ESTATE AND ALL IMPROVEMENTS ERECTED THEREON OF ANY PUBLIC21
ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, JUNIOR HIGH, OR HIGH SCHOOL OPERATED BY THE22
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER IF THE SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER :23
(a) H
OLDS A VALID PERMIT TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN24
ISSUED PURSUANT TO PART 2 OF ARTICLE 12 OF TITLE 18;25
(b) H
AS COMPLETED A MINIMUM OF TWENTY -FOUR HOURS OF26
INITIAL FIREARMS TRAINING WITHIN TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE STARTING27
HB24-1310
-5- WORK AS A SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER THAT INCLUDES :1
(I) A
T LEAST FOUR HOURS OF CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION THAT2
INCLUDES INSTRUCTION ON FIREARMS SAFETY , USE OF DEADLY FORCE,3
LEGAL PRINCIPLES RELATED TO FIREARM USE , AND WEAPONS RETENTION4
IN A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT;5
(II) A
T LEAST TEN HOURS OF LIVE FIRE RANGE TRAINING EXERCISES6
THAT INCLUDE ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING CONCEPTS ; AND7
(III) A
T LEAST SIX HOURS OF SCHOOL ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING ,8
WHICH MAY INCLUDE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION AND SIMULATED9
TRAINING;10
(c) A
NNUALLY COMPL ETES A MINIMUM OF SIXTEEN HOURS OF11
ANNUAL IN-SERVICE TRAINING THAT INCLUDES:12
(I) A
T LEAST EIGHT HOURS OF LIVE FIRE RANGE TRAINING13
EXERCISES THAT INCLUDE ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING CONCEPTS ; AND14
(II) A
T LEAST EIGHT HOURS OF SCHOOL ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING15
THAT INCLUDES CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION AND SIMULATED TRAINING ;16
AND17
(d) P
ASSED THE P.O.S.T. BOARD'S FIREARMS SKILLS TEST OR AN18
EQUIVALENT FIREARMS SKILLS TEST ADMINISTERED BY A P.O.S.T.19
BOARD-CERTIFIED FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR AT THE COMPLETION OF INITIAL20
TRAINING DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (3)(b) OF THIS SECTION AND AT THE21
COMPLETION OF IN-SERVICE TRAINING DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (3)(c) OF22
THIS SECTION. THIS SUBSECTION (3)(d) DOES NOT REQUIRE A SCHOOL23
SECURITY OFFICER TO BE CERTIFIED BY THE P.O.S.T. BOARD.24
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-2-117, amend25
(1.5) as follows:26
22-2-117. Additional power - state board - waiver of27
HB24-1310
-6- requirements - rules. (1.5) Notwithstanding any provision of this1
section or any other provision of law, the state board shall not waive2
requirements contained in article 11 of this title TITLE 22 or sections3
22-1-144, 22-7-1006.3, 22-32-105, 22-32-109 (1)(bb)(I) and (2),4
22-32-109.1 (2)(a), 22-32-146, and 22-33-104 (4).5
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-12-101, add6
(1)(g.8) as follows:7
18-12-101. Peace officer affirmative defense - definitions.8
(1) As used in this article 12, unless the context otherwise requires:9
(g.8) "S
CHOOL SECURITY OFFICER" MEANS A PERSON WHO IS10
EMPLOYED OR RETAINED BY CONTRACT AS A SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER11
BY A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-1-144.12
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-12-105.5, amend13
(1)(a) and (3) introductory portion; and add (3)(e.5) and (4) as follows:14
18-12-105.5. Unlawfully carrying a weapon - unlawful15
possession of weapons - school, college, or university grounds.16
(1) (a) A person shall not knowingly and unlawfully and without legal17
authority carry, bring, or have in the person's possession a deadly weapon18
as defined in section 18-1-901 (3)(e) in or on the real estate and all19
improvements erected thereon of any public or private elementary,20
middle, junior high, high, or vocational school or any public or private21
college, university, or seminary, except for the purpose of:22
(I) Presenting an authorized public demonstration or exhibition23
pursuant to instruction in conjunction with an organized school or class;24
for the purpose of carrying out the necessary duties and functions of an
25
employee of an educational institution that require the use of a deadly26
weapon, or for the purpose of OR27
HB24-1310
-7- (II) Participation in an authorized extracurricular activity or on an1
athletic team.2
(3) It shall not be IS NOT an offense under PURSUANT TO3
SUBSECTION (1) OF this section if:4
(e.5) T
HE PERSON IS A SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER AND CARRYING5
OUT THE DUTIES OF A SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER; IF THE DEADLY WEAPON6
IS A HANDGUN; AND THE PERSON SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH7
IN SECTION 22-1-144 (3); OR8
(4) (a) N
OTWITHSTANDING ANY AUTHORITY GRANTED IN THIS9
SECTION TO THE CONTRARY, A SCHOOL, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY , OR10
ANY OTHER ENTITY SHALL NOT STORE FIREARMS IN OR ON THE REAL11
ESTATE AND ALL IMPROVEMENTS ERECTED THEREON OF A PUBLIC OR12
PRIVATE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, JUNIOR HIGH, OR HIGH SCHOOL.13
(b) T
HIS SUBSECTION (4) DOES NOT APPLY TO THE STORAGE OF A14
FIREARM:15
(I) F
OR USE IN AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM APPROVED BY A16
SCHOOL WHICH INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, A HUNTER EDUCATION17
COURSE OFFERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-1-134 OR A COURSE DESIGNED18
FOR THE REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE OF WEAPONS ;19
(II) B
Y A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT20
OFFICER'S VEHICLE THAT IS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS, IN CONFORMANCE WITH21
THE POLICY OF THE OFFICER'S EMPLOYING AGENCY; AND22
(III) B
Y A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER , INCLUDING A SCHOOL23
RESOURCE OFFICER, WHILE THE OFFICER IS PRESENT ON SCHOOL GROUNDS,24
IN A LOCKED GUN SAFE THAT IS IN A LOCKED ROOM OR CLOSET , AND THE25
GUN SAFE AND ROOM OR CLOSET ARE ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO THE OFFICER .26
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-12-214, amend27
HB24-1310
-8- (3)(b) as follows:1
18-12-214. Authority granted by permit - carrying restrictions2
- local authority. (3) A permit issued pursuant to this part 2 does not3
authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun onto the real property,4
or into any improvements erected thereon, of a public elementary, middle,5
junior high, or high school; except that:6
(b) I
F THE PERMITTEE SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN7
SECTION 22-1-144 (3), a permittee who is employed or retained by
8
contract by a school district or charter school as a school security officer9
may carry a concealed handgun onto the real property, or into any10
improvement erected thereon, of a public elementary, middle, junior high,11
or high school while the permittee is on duty;12
SECTION 7. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act13
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the14
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except15
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V16
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this17
act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take18
effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in19
November 2024 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the20
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.21
HB24-1310
-9-