Legislation requiring local public school resource officers to carry a weapon overwhelming passed the Kentucky Senate Monday. Bill Sponsor Max Wise of Campbellsville described it as a continuation of last session’s school safety measure.
In arguing in favor of the bill, Wise made reference to state police troopers on the third floor of the capitol. “If we are protected by those who are sworn law enforcement officers with a firearm, would we not want the same for our children in Kentucky public schools,” said Wise.
The bill passed 34 to one. Louisville Senator and Minority Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey cast the lone dissenting vote. McGarvey said school security members are already allowed to carry a gun, but a mandate is different with costs for local districts. “We have a 172 schools in Jefferson County, 172. This is an unfunded mandate to put school resource officers in 172 that we can’t do right now,” explained McGarvey.
The measure sets out as a goal to have at least one school counselor or school based mental health provider for every 250 students.
Meanwhile the so called “born alive” bill is also headed to the Kentucky House. The senate measure prohibits a person from denying or depriving a born-alive infant of nourishment with the intent to cause or allow the death of the baby. Senate Bill Nine also requires a physician performing an abortion to take all medically and reasonable steps to preserve the life and health of a born-alive infant.
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