House Bill 1332 Summary

• Superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules and develop criteria for schools to participate in an armed first responder program on a voluntary basis.

• Participating schools must submit a comprehensive plan within 90 days identifying the armed first responder, implementation strategy, and emergency operations assessment, subject to approval by local law enforcement and department of homeland security.

• Armed first responders must be retired law enforcement officers or complete training equivalent to South Dakota's school sentinel program, pass criminal background checks, physical and mental health evaluations, possess a valid class 1 firearm license, and maintain annual 10-hour recertification courses.

• Firearms must remain concealed and under direct control of the certified first responder or stored in a lockbox; first responders cannot supervise children while armed and must participate in annual active shooter training.

• School districts and nonpublic schools are granted civil and criminal liability immunity for first responders acting in good faith, except in cases of gross negligence; individuals authorized under the program are exempted from the prohibition on carrying concealed weapons at public gatherings.