Legislation would require California schools to have armed officer on campus

Legislation recently introduced by Bill Essayli, R-Corona, would require school districts and charter schools to hire an armed law enforcement officer to patrol each of its campuses whenever students are present.

Current state law allows school districts to determine whether to hire or contract for armed law enforcement officers or unarmed security officers. The current law asks districts to consider using resources allocated for police officers for pupil support services and professional development for school employees on cultural competency and restorative justice if it is more appropriate for their students.

Essayli’s legislation would remove all options for school districts except to hire or contract with officers authorized to carry a loaded firearm to staff each of their campuses.

Assembly Bill 3038 could be heard in the education committee on March 18, according to the state website.

If the bill becomes a law it would be a state-mandated local program, requiring the state to reimburse each district for its cost.