AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE "MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS SCHOOL SAFETY (MS ROSS) ACT" FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO ASSIST LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES WITH THE COST OF EMPLOYING A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO) AT EACH SCHOOL CAMPUS WITHIN THE JURISDICTIONS OF THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOVERNING AUTHORITIES; TO DEFINE TERMINOLOGY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ASSISTANCE OF EMPLOYING SROS SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ALLOCATE A PERCENTAGE OF THE COST FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF ONE SRO FOR EACH SCHOOL CAMPUS; TO REQUIRE THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND/OR THE SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD TO PROVIDE THE REMAINING PERCENTAGE OF THE COST FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF ONE SRO FOR EACH SCHOOL CAMPUS WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION OF CONTROL; TO REQUIRE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES TO MAKE JOINT APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE APPROVAL OF ALLOCATION OF FUNDS; TO SPECIFY THE INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION; TO PRESCRIBE THE DETAILS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING OR INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND A SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY; TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-321, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS SCHOOL SAFETY (MS ROSS) FUND AS A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES IN THE SPECIAL FUND SHALL BE USED TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES FOR THE PURPOSES DESCRIBED IN THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Impact
The implementation of the MS ROSS Act will modify existing legislation regarding school safety and law enforcement responsibilities. Local police departments and school governing boards will be required to form interlocal agreements or memorandums of understanding, ensuring clarity in roles and financial obligations for funding SROs. The act outlines a structured approach for funding, mandating collaborative applications to the Department of Public Safety. By setting a flow of state funding, this initiative aims to foster a stable and trained presence within schools, which proponents argue will deter violence and ensure a safer environment for students.
Summary
House Bill 1285, known as the Mississippi School Resource Officers School Safety (MS ROSS) Act, proposes the establishment of a program aimed at enhancing school safety through the employment of School Resource Officers (SROs) at public and private school campuses across the state. The act allows the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to allocate funds specifically for the costs associated with hiring SROs, with local law enforcement agencies and school governing bodies expected to share in the remaining expenses. This cooperative approach seeks to ensure that each school has at least one SRO assigned to it by 2031, with increasing state financial support over the years, beginning at 30% for the 2026-2027 school year and rising to 70% by 2030-2031.
Contention
While the MS ROSS Act aims to bolster security in schools, it may not be free of contention. Concerns regarding the implications of increased law enforcement presence in educational settings, potential over-policing, and the allocation of funding may arise among various stakeholders, including educators, parents, and community members. Additionally, the effectiveness of the SROs in fostering a supportive rather than punitive environment will be critical. Critics may question whether hiring SROs will truly address underlying issues such as mental health or if it simply serves as a band-aid solution for complex social problems in schools.
School resource officers; include in the definition of "law enforcement officer" for purposes of LEO and Firefighters Death Benefits Trust Fund benefits.