House Bill 97

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING WITH THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, WALK-THROUGH METAL DETECTORS MUST BE INSTALLED AND OPERATED AT ALL PUBLIC ENTRANCES OF EACH PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL AND CHARTER SCHOOL IN THE STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE RELATED TRAINING IN THE USE OF THESE METAL DETECTORS SHALL BE PERFORMED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROMULGATION OF RELATED REGULATIONS; TO MAKE THESE PROVISIONS CONTINGENT UPON APPROPRIATIONS BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) (a) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, walk-through metal detectors must be installed and operated at all public entrances of each public elementary school, middle school, high school and charter school in the state.

(b) For purposes of this section, the term "public entrance" means the main entrance to each public school building, gymnasium and football stadium, but does not include service entrances, secondary doors and school bus loading-zone entrances.

(2) In consultation and cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the State Department of Education shall provide training in the use of walk-through metal detectors to school officials who shall use the equipment and protocol for responding when contraband is detected.

(3) The State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.

(4) The provisions of this section shall be contingent upon the appropriation of necessary funding by the Legislature for the equipment and personnel training which, if appropriated, shall be included in annual appropriation for the State Department of Education.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.