FL H1197

Establishes legislative intent to encourage district school boards to place at least one school resource officer at each public school in the district while mitigating the financial burden of doing so.

Authorizes part-time law enforcement officers (reserve officers), in addition to certified law enforcement officers, to serve as school resource officers or school safety officers.

Requires that 50 percent of the salary for part-time law enforcement officers hired on or after July 1, 2017, as school resource or safety officers be provided by the employing district school board and law enforcement agency, with the remaining 50 percent provided through the General Appropriations Act.

Allows school safety officers to make arrests for law violations on school property and authorizes them to carry weapons while performing official duties.

Takes effect July 1, 2017, with conforming amendments to section 1002.32 regarding laboratory schools.