Tennessee Senate Bill SB2521

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8 and Title 49, relative to school safety.

Impact

The bill is positioned to impact state laws regarding the reemployment of retired law enforcement officials, particularly in the context of school and campus safety. By facilitating the return of seasoned officers to these critical roles, the intent is to bolster security measures in educational settings. The legislation emphasizes maintaining high levels of training and comparable compensation for these positions, thereby ensuring experienced personnel are available to support safety in schools.

Summary

Senate Bill 2521 is an act aimed at amending the Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance school safety. The bill allows retired law enforcement officers to be reemployed without losing their retirement benefits when they serve as full-time school resource officers in public K-12 schools or as police officers on college campuses governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents. It stipulates specific requirements for reemployment, including a mandatory waiting period after retirement and a limit on the duration of reemployment.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB2521 include concerns about the potential burden it could place on the retirement system due to the financial contributions required from new employers when hiring retired members. There may also be discussions regarding the adequacy of existing safety measures in schools and whether reemploying retired officers addresses the root causes of school safety issues. Stakeholders may engage in debates about the balance between enhancing security and the financial implications of incentivizing the reemployment of retirees within law enforcement roles.