New York State’s Senate has passed legislation, sponsored by Sen. Monica R. Martinez, to improve the training school security guards receive to work in an educational environment. The bill requires school-specific instruction as part of the annual training for guards employed or contracted by schools.
“The safety needs of schools are very different from other settings,” said Sen. Martinez. “Security personnel working with children must be equipped to respond appropriately in high-stress situations. This legislation helps prepare them to better understand student behavior, respond to crises, and de-escalate conflict in a way that supports a safe learning environment.”
The legislation amends current law to require that any security guard employed or contracted by a school complete school-specific training as part of their annual instruction. Topics covered will include conflict resolution, student behavior, school-related laws and liability, crisis prevention, disaster response, restorative practices, and cultural awareness. The bill aims to close gaps in the current security guard license, which is designed to cover a wide range of settings but does not account for the unique needs of a school community.
This proposal now awaits approval by the New York State Assembly and, if passed, must be signed by the governor before it can become law. If enacted, it would take effect 180 days after becoming law.
