Local school leaders joined Gov. Eric Holcomb in a ceremonial signing that allows school resource officers to be eligible for benefits under the 1977 Pension Fund.
Center Grove Supt. Bill Long and Clark-Pleasant Supt. Tim Edsell and other school officials joined State Representative Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) in supporting school safety, student mental health and school resource officers.
Davis authored the legislation after talking with Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit organization, along with input from the Clark-Pleasant and Center Grove police departments.
The new law, House Bill 1104, requires schools to offer mental health resources following each armed intruder drill and provide an opt-out option for parents.
Drills that include sensory components cannot be conducted during regular school hours or require participation and accommodations must be made for students who have mobility restrictions sensory needs or auditory or visual limitations.
Improving benefits recognizes school resource officers’ critical role in maintaining safety and ensures they receive the same benefits as other law enforcement officers, Davis said. The added benefit could help strengthen school resource officer recruitment efforts and encourage more officers to consider working in Indiana schools.
“The safety and mental health of Hoosier students, teachers and staff continue to be a top priority,” Davis said. “This new law ensures that while we prepare for emergencies, we also consider the emotional and psychological impact on our students.”
