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HLS 26RS-607 REENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 682
BY REPRESENTATIVES DICKERSON AND CHASSION
VETERANS: Provides for certain veterans to work as school guardians at public schools
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 17:416.19.1 and 3996(B)(24), relative to the employment of veterans at
3 schools; to provide for definitions; to provide relative to veterans; to provide relative
4 to charter schools; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 17:416.19.1 and 3996(B)(24) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 §416.19.1. School guardians
8 A. "School guardian" means a veteran as defined in R.S. 13:5364, who meets
9 all of the following criteria:
10 (1) He was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United
11 States as evidenced by a Department of Defense form DD 214.
12 (2) He successfully completed the requisite background check as provided
13 by applicable law.
14 (3) He completed school incident training with law enforcement and school
15 officials including but not limited to annual training in firearms safety, self-defense,
16 de-escalation tactics, mental health incidents, disability awareness, and training in
17 active threats at school, basic trauma, and first aid.
18 (4) He is employed or contracted by a city, parish, or other local public
19 school system, a nonpublic school, or a law enforcement agency.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-607 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 682
1 (5) He operates under policies adopted by the public school governing
2 authority or nonpublic school regarding scope of duties, authority, and use of force.
3 (6) He is physically and mentally capable of performing assigned duties.
4 B. A school guardian as provided in this Section shall not be considered a
5 peace officer, and shall not have arrest powers, unless separately commissioned in
6 accordance with applicable law, and shall have only such authority as is expressly
7 granted by the employing authority and applicable law. A school guardian may take
8 actions necessary to prevent an active threat and temporarily detain an individual
9 when the guardian has reasonable cause to believe the individual has committed or
10 is about to commit a forcible felony.
11 * * *
12 §3996. Charter schools; exemptions; requirements
13 * * *
14 B. Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and
15 except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a
16 charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this
17 Chapter and its approved charter and the school's officers and employees shall be
18 exempt from all statutory mandates or other statutory requirements that are
19 applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees except for
20 the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:
21 * * *
22 (24) School guardians, R.S. 17:416.19.1.
23 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 682 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Dickerson
Abstract: Defines a school guardian as a veteran who meets certain criteria who serves at
a school in a specific capacity.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-607 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 682
Proposed law defines "school guardian" as a veteran as defined in present law (R.S. 13:5364)
who meets the following criteria:
(1) An honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.
(2) A successful background check.
(3) Completion of school incident training with law enforcement and school
officials.
(4) He is employed or contracted by a school system, a nonpublic school, or law
enforcement agency.
(5) He operates under certain policies regarding scope of duties, authority, or use
of force.
(6) He is physically and mentally capable of performing assigned duties.
Proposed law authorizes a school guardian to prevent an active threat and temporarily detain
an individual when he has reasonable cause to believe the individual has committed or will
commit a forcible felony.
Proposed law provides that a school guardian shall not be considered a peace officer and
shall not have arrest powers.
(Adds R.S. 17:416.19.1 and 3996(B)(24))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
original bill:
1. Add certain criteria required for a veteran to be qualified to serve as a school
resource officer.
2. Include charter schools.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Define "school guardian" as a veteran as defined by present law who meets
certain criteria.
2. Authorize a school guardian to prevent an active threat in certain circumstances.
3. Remove proposed law provisions relative to school resource officers.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.