(Doc Name h:\legwork\house\amend\h-wm\008\statewide school resource officers proviso.docx):
EXPLANATION: Proviso that directs the funds appropriated for School Resource Officers.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 1,
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, page 295, after line 4, by adding an
appropriately numbered paragraph to read:
/ (SDE: Statewide School Resource Officers) Funds
appropriated for the Statewide School Resource Officers shall be
utilized by the Department of Education (department) for the
purpose of hiring certified law enforcement officers to serve as
a school resource officer for school districts that otherwise
would lack the adequate resources to hire their own school
resource officers. In making determinations of eligibility the
department shall use the most recent index of taxpaying ability
as the district's indicator of ability to pay, with districts of
the lowest index of taxpaying ability receiving priority
consideration. Districts must apply for funding through the
department and no districts shall receive an award of more than
eight certified law enforcement officer positions. In making
awards the department shall provide funding directly to the
local law enforcement agency to pay for the cost of the
law enforcement officer that will serve as a full-time school
resource officer. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and titles to conform.