School safety: armed school resource officers.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Education
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill requires rural school districts and charter schools to hire or contract with at least one armed school resource officer (ASRO) starting in the 2028-29 school year. ASROs would be authorized to carry a loaded firearm and must be present during school hours and other times when students are on campus. The implementation would be phased in, beginning with high schools in 2026, followed by middle schools in 2027, and elementary schools in 2028, with a minimum enrollment of 50 students. Schools that cannot comply due to funding or personnel limitations may apply for a good cause exception.
Key provisions
- Requires rural school districts and charter schools to hire or contract with at least one armed school resource officer (ASRO).
- ASROs must be authorized to carry a loaded firearm.
- Implementation phased in by grade level (high schools first, then middle, then elementary).
- Minimum school enrollment of 50 students for ASRO presence.
- Schools may apply for a ‘good cause’ exception if unable to comply.
- Requires reimbursement for costs associated with the mandate under the California Constitution.
- Defines ‘rural school district or charter school’ based on student enrollment.
- Defines ‘school resource officer’ as a peace officer employed by or contracted to a school.
Who is affected
- Rural school districts
- Charter schools
- Students
- School administrators
- School resource officers
Bill text
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