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HF2496 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

School resource officers (SRO) provisions modified.

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to modify the role and responsibilities of school resource officers (SROs) in Minnesota schools to enhance public safety while ensuring that the officers' presence fosters a positive environment for students and staff.

Main Provisions

  • Roles and Responsibilities: Redefines the duties of school resource officers to focus on relationship building, providing safety advice, identifying vulnerabilities in school security, and serving as a liaison between law enforcement and school officials.
  • Use of Force: Specifies that school resource officers must use force only as a last resort and must consider de-escalation tactics, the student's age, size, and disabilities.
  • Training Requirements: Establishes detailed training objectives for SROs, emphasizing de-escalation techniques, handling mental health crises, understanding juvenile development, and identifying school vulnerabilities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Community Engagement: Schools must engage the local community, including students and families, to discuss the pros and cons of SROs. They must also obtain regular feedback to improve the program.
  • Assignment Consistency: SROs should ideally be assigned to the same school(s) for at least three years to ensure stability and consistency.
  • Law Enforcement Agency Duties: Agencies must use a specific hiring process for SROs and carry out annual assessments to evaluate program effectiveness and the officer's performance.
  • National Guidelines: Encourages adherence to the United States Department of Justice's guiding principles for SRO programs to inform duties and responsibilities.

Relevant Terms

  • School resource officer (SRO)
  • Public safety
  • Community engagement
  • Use of force
  • De-escalation
  • Juvenile justice
  • Mental health crisis
  • Training objectives

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 16, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toPublic Safety Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new list of specific duties for school resource officers, such as fostering positive school climate and educating students on law enforcement topics."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the duties of school resource officers (SROs) as outlined in section 626.8482, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on the circumstances under which force can be used by SROs."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "626.8482",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Additional training requirements, including juvenile justice system and deescalation techniques."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill updates training course requirements for school resource officers under section 626.8482, subdivision 4.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjustments in training methodologies and increased emphasis on mental health crises."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "626.8482",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Specific mention of topics related to juveniles or students."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Incorporates additional topics from section 626.8469, subdivision 1 into SRO training.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on the implementation of these topics in an educational setting."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "626.8469",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]

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