Require School Resource Officers in Minnesota Schools Based on Enrollment Size.

 

The purpose of this act is to establish population-based requirements for School Resource Officer (SRO) staffing in

Minnesota public and charter schools in order to improve school safety and provide a reliable law enforcement presence

if necessary.

 

Many schools in Minnesota currently lack consistently safe staffing, creating significant disparities in emergency

response times and on-site security. Larger schools face higher student density, increased incident volume, and greater

potential for safety risks, yet SRO staffing remains uneven and unrequired across districts. This act provides a fair,

population-based framework that ensures all schools receive appropriate safety support without placing unreasonable

burdens on smaller districts. Tiered requirements help prevent a one-size-fits-all solution while ensuring each school

is provided with the safety they need.

 

SRO (school resource officer): A sworn law enforcement officer assigned to work in a school to promote safety and

security, prevent crime, and mentor students.

School: Any public or charter school in Minnesota, serving K-12 students.

Enrollment: The total student count reported at the start of each year.

Part-Time SRO: An SRO assigned a minimum of 20 hours a week.

 

A Minnesota School Safety Grant Fund should be created under the Department of Public Safety. The fund will reimburse

schools for up to 60% of SRO salary and benefits. Rural, high-need, and budget-restricted districts will be the top

priority for funding. Remaining costs will be paid by existing school budgets, levy allocations, or local contracts.

 

School districts are required to submit an annual SRO compliance report to the Minnesota Department of Education.

Continued noncompliance for over one year will result in loss of eligibility for any state school safety grants until

compliance is reinstated.

 

July 1, 2026