In a late night session, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a school safety bill that will allow city and county school systems to hire armed school security officers.
The bill by Republican Sen. Dick Brewbaker of Montgomery was crafted in response to the Sandy Hook school shootings. The House approved it 97-3.
Some schools now have armed officers, but they are supplied by the local sheriff's department or police department. The bill allows school systems to use their own money to hire officers who must be trained for the school setting. There was no budget appropriation for hiring officers.
The bill must go back to the Senate for review of changes made by the House. If it passes, it will take effect three months after the governor signs it.