An Act To Allow School Administrative Units To Establish Rules, Procedures and Guidelines for Properly Trained Staff To Carry a Concealed Handgun on School Property while Acting in Their Official Capacities
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §6552, sub-§2, ¶D is enacted to read:
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §6552-A is enacted to read:
§ 6552-A. Concealed handguns carried by school employees
Sec. 3. 25 MRSA §2001-A, sub-§2, ¶¶H and I, as repealed and replaced by PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24, are amended to read:
(1) Photographic identification issued by the law enforcement agency from which the person retired from service as a law enforcement officer that indicates that the person has, not less recently than one year before the date the person carries the concealed handgun, been tested or otherwise found by that agency to meet the standards established by that agency for training and qualification for an active law enforcement officer to carry a handgun of the same type as the concealed handgun; or
(2) Photographic identification issued by the law enforcement agency from which the person retired from service as a law enforcement officer and a certification issued by the state in which the person resides that indicates that the person has, not less recently than one year before the date the person carries the concealed handgun, been tested or otherwise found by that state to meet the standards established by that state for training and qualification for an active law enforcement officer to carry a handgun of the same type as the concealed handgun . ; and
Sec. 4. 25 MRSA §2001-A, sub-§2, ¶J is enacted to read:
Sec. 5. 25 MRSA §2002, sub-§10-B is enacted to read:
summary
This bill enables school administrative units to establish rules, procedures and guidelines to allow a properly trained school employee to carry a concealed handgun on school property. The bill requires a school administrative unit electing to allow an employee to carry a concealed handgun on school property to ensure that the employee successfully completes a firearms training course and requalifies on an annual basis. It also requires the employee to complete training in crisis intervention and hostage situations and use of deadly force, and possess a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun. The bill requires a school administrative unit establishing a concealed handgun program to establish in writing the duties and responsibilities of school employees authorized to participate in the program. It also requires that liability insurance be carried on each participating employee, whether paid for by the school administrative unit or the employee. The bill enables a school administrative unit to pay a participating employee a stipend and to require an employee applying to carry a concealed handgun on school property to submit to a psychological evaluation. It authorizes the Maine Criminal Justice Academy to design a firearms training course for school employees who have applied to carry concealed handguns on school property. This bill specifies that participation in the program by a school employee is voluntary and provides that if at least 10% of the number of voters voting in the last general election petition the school administrative unit, the issue will be put to a vote at referendum.