Kentucky Senate committee advances bill proposing use of armed ‘guardians’ in schools

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky school districts could hire retired law officers or military veterans to serve as armed guardians offering security at schools under a bill advanced by a state Senate committee on Thursday.

The proposal cleared the Senate Education Committee and heads to the full Senate next. It would still need House approval if it gains Senate passage. The legislation, sponsored by Republican Sen. Max Wise, is designated as Senate Bill 2 — reflecting its priority status in the GOP-dominated Senate.

The measure is the latest attempt by Kentucky lawmakers to bolster school safety since the tragic 2018 shooting at Marshall County High School in western Kentucky, where two students were killed and more than a dozen others were injured when another student opened fire.

The intent is to allow local school boards to hire and assign guardians to augment security at schools. Their hiring would be optional for school boards. Districts could employ as many guardians as administrators would deem necessary for security at schools. If the measure becomes law, the guardian program would begin in the 2025-26 school year.

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