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House Engrossed
firearms safety; training; schools |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session 2023
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HOUSE BILL 2332 |
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An Act
amending title 15, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-714.02; relating to school instruction.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 15, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-714.02, to read:
15-714.02. Firearms safety; training; requirements; parental opt-out; donations; instructors
A. From and after June 30, 2024, in addition to the voluntary training prescribed in sections 15-713 and 15-714 and the elective course prescribed in section 15-714.01, school districts and charter schools shall provide students in grades six through twelve with one or more training sessions in firearms safety in an age-appropriate manner. Any training session or sessions provided pursuant to this section shall be based on a firearms accident prevention program that meets all of the following requirements:
1. Has been in operation for over thirty years.
2. Seeks to help parents, law enforcement, community groups and educators navigate firearms safety.
3. Was developed by law enforcement officials and firearms safety experts from a national rifle association.
4. Teaches simple, easy-to-remember steps so individuals who receive the training know what to do if they ever come across a firearm.
B. Training pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be provided by an individual who meets the requirements prescribed in subsection G of this section. This subsection does not require a teacher or administrator who facilitates or oversees the training to be a certified firearms safety instructor.
C. The training provided pursuant to subsection A of this section may not include either of the following:
1. Instruction on firearms operation or qualification.
2. Hunting education.
D. A school district or charter school shall notify the parent of any student who will receive training pursuant to this section at least two weeks before the training is provided and shall allow parents to opt the student out of the training pursuant to subsection E of this section.
e. A student shall be excused from the training provided pursuant to subsection A of this section if either:
1. The student's parent requests that the student be excused from the training.
2. The student is a child with a disability as defined in section 15-731 and the student's individualized education program team makes a determination to excuse the student from the training.
F. A school district or charter school may accept from any person in-kind donations of materials, equipment or services that may be used to provide the training pursuant to subsection A of this section, except that a school district or charter school may not accept a working or live firearm. A school district or charter school may not use working or live firearms for the training provided pursuant to subsection A of this section.
G. A school district or charter school may use any of the following individuals to provide training pursuant to subsection A of this section:
1. A current instructor who is certified by a recognized national or state association, including any of the following:
(a) A national rifle association.
(b) A rifle and pistol association in this state.
(c) A civilian marksmanship program.
(d) Any private institution, academy or organization that provides firearms training as described in this section.
2. An active or retired law enforcement officer.
3. A teacher or faculty member who is certified as described in paragraph 1 of this subsection.
Sec. 2. Legislative intent
Given the increasing concern over the safety of schools, the legislature intends that children in this state receive instruction about firearms from qualified individuals with a focus on safety rather than from popular culture and various forms of media. This instruction should not cover topics such as firearms operation, qualification or hunting but should ensure that students know how to identify the safe and unsafe handling of firearms and the appropriate response as taught by firearms safety experts in this state who are willing to volunteer their time.