Legislation co-sponsored by State Representative Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) regarding school safety was signed into law Monday by Governor Pence.
During the 2013 legislation session, the Indiana General Assembly created the Secured School Safety Board to approve grant applications to hire a school resource officer.
With the signing of Senate Enrolled Act 85, the Secured School Safety Board will now be able to provide a matching grant to increase training opportunities for school resource officers as well.
“By allowing schools greater flexibility to adequately train their school resource officers, we are ensuring that these men and women are as prepared as they can be in the case of an emergency,” said Rep. Frye. “As a parent and grandparent, I hope and pray that that never happens here in Indiana, but it is still imperative that we be prepared.”
SEA 85 also makes changes to the requirements necessary to be a school resource officer. Officers are now required to be employed by a law enforcement agency, appointed as a police officer or special deputy or employed as a school corporation police officer.
“I am pleased to see this legislation signed into law, and I am even more proud to not only have been a part of it but also to be part of a legislative body that puts such significant emphasis on securing our state’s schools,” said Rep. Frye. “As of November 2013, the SSSB had awarded $4.1 million in grant funds to 100 school corporations. This is a significant investment in our children’s safety.”
SEA 85 will go into effect on July 1, 2014.
