6VAC20-240-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Approved instructor" means a person who has been approved by the department to instruct in the school security officer training course.

"Approved training" means training approved by the department to meet compulsory minimum training standards.

"Approved training session" means a training session that is approved by the department for the specific purpose of training school security officers.

"Board" means the Criminal Justice Services Board or any successor board or agency.

"Certification" means a method of regulation indicating that qualified persons have met the minimum requirements as school security officers.

"Compulsory minimum training standards" means the performance outcomes and minimum hours approved by the board.

"Date of hire" means the date any employee of a school board or system is hired to provide security services for a school and whom the department must regulate.

"Department" means the Department of Criminal Justice Services or any successor agency.

"Director" means the chief administrative officer of the department or his designee.

"In-service training requirement" means the compulsory in-service training standards adopted by the board for school security officers.

"School security officer" means an individual who is employed by the local school board for the singular purpose of maintaining order and discipline, preventing crime, investigating violations of school board policies, and detaining students violating the law or school board policies on school property or at school-sponsored events and who is responsible solely for ensuring the safety, security, and welfare of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors in the assigned school.

"This chapter" means the Regulations Relating to School Security Officers (6VAC20-240).

"Training certification" means verification of the successful completion of any training requirement established by this chapter.

"Training requirement" means any entry-level or in-service training or retraining standard established by this chapter.

6VAC20-240-20. Initial certification and training requirements for school security officers.

A. In addition to meeting all the hiring requirements of the employing school board, all school security officers who enter upon the duties of such office on or after September 1, 2004, are required to meet the following minimum certification and training requirements. Such person shall:

1. Undergo a background investigation to include fingerprint-based criminal history record inquiry of both the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Results of such inquiries shall be examined by the employing school division within 30 days of date of hire;

2. Have a high school diploma, have passed the General Educational Development exam, or have passed the National External Diploma program Program;

3. Be a minimum of 21 years of age;

4. Possess a valid driver's license if required by the duties of office to operate a motor vehicle;

5. Successfully complete basic first aid training. The level and substance of such training shall be at the discretion of the employing school division;

6. Comply with compulsory minimum entry-level training requirements approved by the board:

a. Every school security officer hired on or after September 1, 2004, is required to comply with the compulsory minimum training standards within 60 days of the date of hire as a school security officer.

b. The compulsory minimum training shall consist of a 32-hour school Department of Criminal Justice Services-approved security officer training course developed and approved by the department. Such training shall include but not be limited to:

(1) The role and responsibility of school security officers;

(2) Relevant state and federal laws;

(3) School and personal liability issues;

(4) Security awareness in the school environment;

(5) Mediation and conflict resolution;

(6) Disaster and emergency response; and

(7) Student behavioral dynamics.

c. The compulsory minimum training shall include a test for each module approved and provided by the department with a minimum passing grade of 80% on each module; and

7. Submit to the department a properly completed and signed application for certification from the localities in a format provided by the department.

B. All costs associated with the background investigation, submission of fingerprints for criminal history record inquiries, and basic first aid training to meet the hiring requirements are the responsibility of that locality.

C. The department may grant an extension of the time limit for completion of the compulsory minimum training standards under the following documented conditions:

1. Illness or injury;

2. Military service;

3. Special duty required and performed in the public interest;

4. Administrative leave, full-time educational leave or suspension pending investigation or adjudication of a crime; or

5. Any other reasonable situation documented by the employing school division superintendent or designee.

D. The director may grant an exemption or partial exemption from the compulsory minimum training standards set forth in this chapter to a law-enforcement officer of the Commonwealth who has had previous experience and training as provided in § 9.1-114 of the Code of Virginia.

6VAC20-240-60. Decertification and appeal procedure.

A. The department may decertify for any of the following reasons. The school security officer has:

1. Been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Virginia;

2. Failed to comply with or maintain compliance with compulsory minimum training requirements;

3. Refused to submit to a drug screening or has produced a positive result on a drug screening reported to the employing school board where the positive result cannot be explained to the school board's satisfaction;

4. Violated any standard of conduct set forth in 6VAC20-240-40;

5. Violated any other school board policy; or

6. Been terminated by the employing school division.

B. Such school security officer shall not have the right to serve as a school security officer within this Commonwealth until the department has reinstated the certification.

C. The findings and the decision of the department may be appealed to the board provided that written notification is given to the attention of the Director, Department of Criminal Justice Services, 202 North Ninth Street 1100 Bank Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, within 30 days following the date notification of the decision was served, or the date it was mailed to the respondent, whichever occurred first. In the event the hearing decision is served by mail, three days shall be added to that period. (Rule 2A:2 of Rules of the Virginia Supreme Court.)