Creating WV Guardian Program

SB 285 creates the West Virginia Guardian Program, allowing county school boards to contract with retired law enforcement officers (including former state troopers, police officers, deputies, or federal officers) or honorably discharged veterans to provide security on public school grounds. To qualify, applicants must meet specific requirements, including U.S. citizenship, a high school diploma or GED, passing concealed carry training, completing fitness and background checks, and meeting retirement or discharge criteria. West Virginia Guardians may carry concealed weapons while on duty but cannot make arrests; they are limited to detaining individuals until law enforcement arrives. The bill excludes individuals with dishonorable discharges, recent drug use, certain criminal offenses, or failure to meet other specified criteria.