VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

• Code of Virginia
• Virginia Administrative Code
• Constitution of Virginia
• Charters
• Authorities
• Compacts
• Uncodified Acts
• RIS Users (account required)

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

• Bills & Resolutions
  session legislation
• Bill Summaries
  session summaries
• Reports to the General Assembly
  House and Senate documents
• Legislative Liaisons
  State agency contacts

ACROSS SESSIONS

• Subject Index: Since 1995
• Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
• Summaries: Since 1994

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2023 SESSION

• | print version

HB 1556 K-9 Detection Teams; permitted in public schools.

Introduced by: Emily M. Brewer | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Employment of K-9 Detection Teams in public schools permitted. Permits any school board to employ or hire on a contract basis in any public elementary or secondary school in the local school division a full-time or part-time K-9 Detection Team, defined in the bill as a safety assessment team that (i) consists of a canine and a canine handler who are trained specifically to detect explosives, firearms, narcotics, and tobacco products and nicotine vapor products, as those terms are defined in relevant law, and (ii) is employed by a school board or hired by a school board on a contract basis to provide such detection services in public elementary and secondary schools in the local school division pursuant to a contract with an entity that is approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to train canines and canine handlers to provide such detection services.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Employment of K-9 Detection Teams in public schools. Permits any local law-enforcement agency to employ in any public elementary or secondary school in the local school division, pursuant to an agreement with the local school board, a full-time or part-time K-9 Detection Team, defined in the bill as a law-enforcement team that consists of a local law-enforcement officer and a canine whose duty is to detect explosives, firearms, and narcotics. The bill requires each such school board and local law-enforcement agency to enter into a memorandum of understanding that sets forth the powers and duties of such teams. The bill requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish compulsory training standards for such teams, requires certain data collection relating to the activities of such teams, and sets up a K-9 Detection Team Grant Program and Fund to provide matching grants on a competitive basis to support the employment of such teams.