Limmer voted to pass the bill and repair the damage by the change last year.  

ST. PAUL – As co-author of the bill, Sen. Warren Limmer (R- Maple Grove) voted yesterday to undo the damage done when School Resource Officer (SRO) standards were extremely altered by the Democrat-led legislature last year. “Last session’s bill was rushed and ignored testimony from the law enforcement community,” said Limmer. “Failing to send the bill to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee also contributed to an unnecessary gap of protection for our children.” The Senate passed the amended bill on a 57-9 vote.  

With the start of the 2023 school year, school districts across the state found the change in language meant SRO contracts would need significant changes to meet the new law. Many law enforcement agencies removed SROs or repositioned them to be stationed outside school buildings. The impact of the change was almost immediately felt as reports of violence at schools were shared widely. Just last week, an SRO was sent to the hospital after breaking up a fight.  

Critics claimed last year’s legislation had no legitimate reason to be included in the 2023 Education Bill. Despite a lack of evidence of SRO misdeeds many believed the legislation was rushed, did not get adequate hearing, and ignored listening to the law enforcement community. Many law enforcement agencies felt they had no choice but to remove SROs from public school settings based on professional standards and changing liability issues. Today, the conference committee removed the language added by the Senate and sent the bill back to both bodies for a final vote.  

“Over months of working with law enforcement officials, I am proud to say the bill to restore SROS to public schools in order to protect our children is on its way for passage,” Limmer said. “The bill passed today repairs the damage from last year’s bill. While this should have been corrected in a special session or simply repealed – the result will ultimately result in safer schools.”  

Over recent months, Limmer called for both a special session and an informational hearing to review the changes made in September last year. Both ideas were rebuffed by Democrats, and despite promises for swift action, the bill took about a month to work its way through the legislature.  

“The role of an SRO cannot be understated,” Limmer continued. “Their top priority is to keep students, teachers, and school staff safe. They also mentor students to keep them on the right path and out of trouble.” Student surveys indicate that 90% of students with an SRO believe they are a positive influence on their schools.  

The bill clarifies the role SROs fill in schools and removes the overly restrictive language that would prevent them fulfilling their duties in the event of a dangerous situation. Senate Republicans offered a few amendments to the bill. One amendment would simply undo the change from last year to return to previous language. Gov. Walz last summer said there were no reports of SROs harming students before this change.