Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
For the second consecutive year, a bill which would have authorized schools to hire retired law enforcement officers and veterans as school resource officers (SROs) has failed.
As written, the bill would have authorized LEAs and public charter schools, “to employ retired law enforcement officers who are retired from a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency and honorably discharged veterans of the United States armed forces to serve as school resource officers on school premises.”
Despite easily clearing the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee last year, HB0214 was this time killed in the House Education Administration Subcommittee and was not presented in the Senate Education Committee.
During the committee meeting on 2/18, the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro-District 34) presented the bill then testimony was heard from representatives from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Elizabeth Stroecker, a legislative liaison with the Department of Safety, testified against the legislation, stating that the bill as written would not open grant eligibility to these individuals as the existing grant program’s specifications would still prevent them from being hired, regardless of the bill’s intent. She also said the changes to the budgeting program and grant formula would be too drastic to feasibly implement under the bill.
Greg Mayes of the Homeland Security Office and Colonel Matt Perry with Highway Patrol cited concerns about training standards and law enforcement agency oversight for SROs overall, and Stroecker stated there is already a training process in place for police officers to become SROs which would be bypassed by this bill.
Stroecker also claimed that there is enough money in the grant program for every school to have an SRO, so those without one are actively choosing not to participate in the program and that this bill would dilute the definition of an SRO and create potential confusion.
Rudd rebutted the Department of Safety, reiterating that the training, safety, evaluation, and oversight requirements through Sheriff’s departments were absolutely in the bill and wouldn’t necessarily depend on grant money for the hiring as LEAs can already hire armed security guards at their own expense, though the bill would seek to open the grant funds so the financial burden would be alleviated.
He also claimed the department had been combating this bill for three years, their main argument against this type of legislation being an unwillingness to share money with another department outside their purview.
Representatives engaged in a healthy debate throughout the meeting, asking clarifying questions and making statements for or against the bill.
The final vote was 3-3, but a tie is considered a failure as there is no majority, though as it only failed for lack of support, it can be brought back again. It is unknown if Rudd will attempt to revive the bill during this session.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
