What's happening
This bill creates a working group to study and recommend standards and training for school resource officers in New York.
Why it matters
Brings together key stakeholders. including education, law enforcement, and police training representatives—to collaboratively address standards for school resource officers, ensuring diverse perspectives in recommendations.
Evaluates not just qualifications, but also training content. such as sensitivity training for working with children—potentially shaping how SROs interact with students and school communities.
Considers broader impacts of new standards. including changes to civil service rules, benefits, and the financial burden on school districts—highlighting potential ripple effects beyond individual officer qualifications.
Requires transparent and timely reporting. mandating a public report within six months, which could inform future policy debates and provide the public with insight into SRO practices and oversight.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create School Officer Task Force
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study School Officer Standards
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Albert A. Stirpe
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8611
IN SENATE
May 10, 2018
Introduced by Sen. MARCHIONE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to creating a school resource officer working group; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 2801-c to read as follows:
§ 2801-c. School resource officer working group. 1. The commissioner shall establish a working group to study appropriate standards and training for a person to serve as a school resource officer.
2. Such working group shall include: the commissioner, the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services, the superintendent of state police, a representative from the New York state sheriffs' association, one member of the municipal police training council selected by the governor, one member of the municipal police training council selected by the temporary president of the senate, and one member of the municipal police training council selected by the speaker of the assembly.
3. Such working group shall meet regularly and shall study the options and best practices available and make recommendations for:
a. the need and appropriateness of physical fitness standards, age limitations and training requirements for school resource officers and which agency or organization would be responsible for creating and implementing such standards and requirements;
b. the appropriateness and availability of sensitivity training for school resource officers which prepares such officers to interact with school-aged children and which agencies or organizations could offer such training; and
c. the civil service and benefit ramifications of any proposed standards, if any, as well as potential fiscal ramifications on school districts.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15359-04-8
S. 8611 2
4. The working group created by subdivision one of this section shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature no later than six months after the effective date of this section. Such report shall be bound and made available to the public.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed nine months after the school resource officer working group reports its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature pursuant to section 2801-c of the education law as added by section one of this act.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to creating a school resource officer working group; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Adds Section 2801-c to the Education Law providing for the creation of a working group to examine the need for standards and train- ing for school resource officers. The working group would examine the need and appropriateness of physical standards, age limits, school-aged children sensitivity training, and the civil service ramification of implementing said standards.
The group, organized under the Department of Education, would be comprised of seven members: the Commissioner of Education, the Commis- sioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Superintendent of State Police, a representative from the New York State Sheriffs' Association, and three members of the municipal police training council selected by the Temporary President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Governor, respectively.
The working group's findings and recommendations would be required to be submitted to the Governor, the legislature, and the public no later than six months following the effective date.
Section 2. This section sets forth the effective date.
Justification
As school safety issues seem to increasingly dominate the headlines every year, it's important to remember that School Resource Officers are a frontline asset to districts, teachers, and students in keeping school premises safe. As the State looks to help districts increase the avail- ability of School Resource Officers, it should also be the policy of the State to ensure that best practices are used. The State should also ensure that those who are responsible for keeping the future of our society safe are also properly qualified and able to do so.
In order to determine best practices for School Resource Officers, this bill creates a working group that would include voices from education, law enforcement criminal justice, police training, and local law enforcement perspectives. These unique perspectives looking at the vari- ous aspects of what might make a good School Resource Officer - such as physical fitness, age limitations, and the availability of sensitivity towards dealing with school aged children - will allow the State to be better informed going forward while simultaneously ensuring that impor- tant and diverse voices are heard on this important issue.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None noted.
Effective date
Immediately. This act shall expire and be deemed repeal nine months after the school resource officer working group reports its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.