MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education; Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Harden

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-321, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT SECURITY GUARDS OR RESOURCE OFFICERS WITH POLICE POWER SHALL HAVE A MINIMUM LEVEL OF BASIC LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-7-321, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-7-321. (1) The school board of any school district within the State of Mississippi may, in its discretion, employ one or more persons as security personnel and shall be authorized to designate them as peace officers in or on any property operated for school purposes by such board upon taking such oath and making such bond as required of a constable of said county. Individuals employed or appointed within a school district as security guards, school resource officers or who will have as their primary duty the powers of a peace officer shall receive, within two (2) years of initial employment, a minimum level of basic law enforcement training as jointly determined and prescribed by the State Board of Law Enforcement Training and Standards and the State Board of Education. Individuals employed or appointed in said positions who do not have as their primary duty the powers of a peace officer shall be exempt from this requirement.

(2) The school board is authorized and empowered, in its discretion, and subject to the approval of the Federal Communications Commission, to install and operate a noncommercial radio broadcasting and transmission station for educational and vocational educational purposes.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.