Kentucky Senate Approves Bill Allowing Schools to Employ Armed ‘Guardians’
The Kentucky Senate passed a bill on Tuesday aimed at enhancing school safety by allowing school districts to hire retired law officers or military veterans as armed guardians.
This move comes in response to the 2018 shooting at Marshall County High School, where two students lost their lives and many others were injured.
The bill, known as Senate Bill 2, was approved by the Senate with a 28-10 vote and will now go to the House for consideration. It allows local school boards to employ guardians at schools, with hiring being optional and based on the district’s discretion.
Guardians can be hired to work alongside school resource officers or in schools without SROs, addressing the issue of inadequate security in many campuses.
The bill also includes provisions for training guardians on firearms proficiency and active shooter response, allowing them to carry concealed weapons on school grounds.
While supporters believe this measure will bolster school security, critics are concerned about the level of training provided to guardians and the focus shifting away from hiring more school resource officers.
The bill also addresses mental health aspects by increasing suicide prevention awareness and fostering collaboration among various professionals in schools to support students.
In addition, the Senate passed another bill that would change the selection process for state Board of Education members, proposing that they be elected by the voters rather than appointed by the governor.
Both bills will now move to the House for further consideration as part of efforts to enhance school safety and education policy in the state.
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