AB 68: School safety: armed school resource officers.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to establish a security department under the supervision of a chief of security as designated by, and under the direction of, the superintendent of the school district. Existing law also authorizes the governing board of a school district to establish a school police department under the supervision of a school chief of police and to employ peace officers.

This bill would require, commencing with the 2028–29 school year, and each school year thereafter, a rural school district or charter school, as defined, to determine the appropriate number of armed school resource officers, as defined, authorized to carry a loaded firearm for each school of the rural school district or charter school. The bill would require the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school to ensure that at least one armed school resource officer is present during regular school hours at each school of the rural school district or charter school that meets specified criteria, as provided. By imposing an additional requirement on school districts and charter schools, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the governing board or body, if it is unable to comply with these requirements due to the unavailability of funding or personnel who qualify to serve as an armed school resource officer, to claim a good cause exception to these requirements by adopting a resolution, as provided.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. January 7, 2026From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).
2. January 7, 2026In committee: Set, final hearing. Failed passage.
3. January 6, 2026Re-referred to Com. on ED.
4. January 5, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ED. Read second time and amended.
5. May 6, 2025Re-referred to Com. on ED.
6. May 5, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ED. Read second time and amended.
7. April 2, 2025In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
8. March 20, 2025Re-referred to Com. on ED.
9. March 19, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ED. Read second time and amended.
10. March 19, 2025In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
11. February 27, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
12. February 3, 2025Referred to Coms. on ED. and PUB. S.