Summary

Allows community policing (COPS) grant funds to be used to hire veterans and retired law enforcement officers as school resource officers (SROs) and gives grant applications that propose doing so preferential consideration. Requires the Attorney General to fund technical assistance so eligible recipients can provide annual mental‑health screenings and annual tactics/response training for SROs, directs SROs to meet with students at least once per year, and instructs the VA to help connect veterans who want to serve as SROs with local law enforcement participating in school‑based partnerships.

Key Points

• COPS grant funds may be used to hire veterans and retired law enforcement officers as school resource officers.
• Grant applications proposing to hire/train veterans or retired officers as SROs receive preferential consideration.
• Attorney General is authorized to provide technical assistance and use program funds for annual mental‑health screenings and annual tactics/response training for SROs.
• SROs are expected to meet with students at least once per year to increase familiarity and encourage engagement.
• Department of Veterans Affairs must help connect veterans who want to serve as SROs with local law enforcement agencies participating in school partnerships.
• The bill modifies existing grant program priorities rather than creating a clearly separate new funding stream.
• Exact screening/training standards and additional funding levels are not specified and will depend on implementing guidance and available program funds.

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