§ 49-6-4201. Short Title
This part shall be known and may be cited as the “School Security Act of 1981.”
§ 49-6-4202. Part Definitions
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: “Dangerous weapon” or “weapon” means any dangerous instrument or substance that is capable of inflicting any injury on any person; “Drug” means any controlled substance, controlled substance analogue, marijuana, alcohol, legend drug or any other substance the possession or use of which is regulated in […]
§ 49-6-4203. Legislative Intent
It is the intent of the general assembly in enacting this part to secure a safe environment in which the education of the students of this state may occur. The general assembly recognizes the position of the schools in loco parentis and the responsibility this places on principals and teachers within each school to secure […]
§ 49-6-4204. Search of Lockers, Vehicles, and Other Property
When individual circumstances in a school dictate, a principal may order that vehicles parked on school property by students or visitors, containers, packages, lockers or other enclosures used for storage by students or visitors, and other areas accessible to students or visitors be searched in the principal’s presence or in the presence of other members […]
§ 49-6-4205. Search of Students
A student may be subject to physical search because of the results of a locker search, or because of information received from a teacher, staff member, student or other person if such action is reasonable to the principal. All of the following standards of reasonableness shall be met: A particular student has violated school policy; […]
§ 49-6-4206. Policy Authorizing School Security Officer to Patrol
As used in this section, “school security officer” means an individual who is employed exclusively by the local school board or LEA for the purpose of: Maintaining order and discipline; Preventing crime; Investigating violations of school board policies; Returning students who may be in violation of the law, school board, or LEA policies to school […]
§ 49-6-4207. Use of Metal Detectors
To facilitate a search that is found to be necessary of students, school visitors, containers or packages, metal detectors and other devices designed to indicate the presence of dangerous weapons, drug paraphernalia or drugs may be used in searches, including hand-held models that are passed over or around a student’s or visitor’s body, and students, […]
§ 49-6-4208. Use of Animals
To facilitate a search that is found to be necessary, dogs or other animals trained to detect drugs or dangerous weapons by odor or otherwise may be used in conducting searches, but the animals shall be used only to pinpoint areas needed to be searched and shall not be used to search the persons of […]
§ 49-6-4209. Report of Reasonable Suspicion by Principal to Law Enforcement Officer
It is the duty of a school principal who has reasonable suspicion to believe, either as a result of a search or otherwise, that any student is committing or has committed any violation of title 39, chapter 17, part 4, § 39-17-1307, or § 39-17-1309 upon the school grounds or within any school building or […]
§ 49-6-4210. Disposal of Contraband
Any dangerous weapon or drug located by the principal or other staff member in the course of a search shall be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement officer for proper disposal.
§ 49-6-4211. Defense of School Personnel by Lea — Indemnity
The LEA shall defend principals and teachers against whom suit is brought on account of any action taken in accordance with this part if: The employees cooperate in the defense of the suit; and In the opinion of the LEA, the actions taken were not the result of willful, wanton or malicious wrongdoing. Each LEA […]
§ 49-6-4212. Training Program for School Principals — Notice of Policies to Parents and Students
The LEA and the local law enforcement agency shall establish and maintain an orientation and training program designed to familiarize school principals with this part and with local policies and procedures for implementing and enforcing this part. The LEA shall provide parents and students with reasonable notice of the local policies and procedures.
§ 49-6-4213. Testing of Students for Drugs — Referral Information and Assistance for Students Testing Positive
A student may be subject to testing for the presence of drugs in the student’s body in accordance with this section and the policy of the LEA if there are reasonable indications to the principal that such student may have used or be under the influence of drugs. The need for testing may be brought […]
§ 49-6-4215. Activities of Criminal Gangs on School Property — Promulgation of Rules and Regulations
The LEAs of this state are authorized to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations to prohibit the activities of criminal gangs on school property. The rules and regulations may prohibit students in grades six through twelve (6-12) from: Wearing, while on school property, any type of clothing, apparel or accessory that denotes the students’ membership […]
§ 49-6-4217. Employment Standards for School Resource Officers
Training courses for school resource officers shall be designed specifically for school policing and shall be administered by an entity or organization approved by the peace officers standards and training (POST) commission. School resource officers shall participate in forty (40) hours of basic training in school policing within twelve (12) months of assignment to a […]
§ 49-6-4218. Posting of Speed Limits on School Grounds and Parking Lots
Each LEA is encouraged to cause proper signs to be posted on school grounds and school parking lots that prohibit any person from operating or driving a motor vehicle or truck at a rate of speed in excess of ten miles per hour (10 mph).
§ 49-6-4219. Policy Regulating Use of Electronic Control Devices
Any law enforcement agency providing a school resource officer, school security officer or other law enforcement officer providing security at a school shall have a policy regulating the use of electronic control devices, which policy shall address training in the proper use of such devices, as well as investigation, documentation and review of such use, […]