CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A bill introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates Monday would amend state code to allow for the employment of armed veterans by county boards for the protection of schools throughout the state.
The bill, HB2932, would pertain to ยง18-5-48 of the Code of West Virginia and would call for the annual assessment of safety and security of school facilities within the district by county school boards. With the aim of improving student safety, action taken by county school boards to this end could entail “hiring a school resource officer, installing weapon detection systems, upgrading facility doors or windows,” and other safety measures.
Also entailed would be the establishment of a State Treasury fund known as the Safe Schools Fund which “shall consist of all moneys received from legislative appropriations and other sources.” These funds may be used for the hiring of armed veterans for the protection of West Virginia Schools.
The bill further states that veterans employed in this capacity would be required to undergo proper training as well as a certification process prior to hiring. This would include firearms training, de-escalation, and other necessary techniques to ensure student safety.
Much of the required training would pertain to military strategy and protocol for reference in the event of a school shooting incident.
HB2932 was introduced in the House on Monday and was subsequently referred to the House Committe on Education.ย