South Dakota Senate Passes ‘School Sentinels’ Bill

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A proposed bill to allow school districts to have armed personnel on campus passed in the South Dakota state Senate on Wednesday, the Arugs Leader reported.

The legislation, known colloquially as the “school sentinels” bill, passed by a vote of 21-14 and will now move to the desk of Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R). Daugaard has spoken positively about the bill but has not said publicly if he will sign it into law.

If the bill becomes law, local school districts will be authorized to arm sentinels at schools. Supporters of the proposal have stressed that the law will not force school districts to arm personnel on campus, but simply gives them the authority to do so. 

The bill, which passed in the state House of Representatives last month, requires the sentinels to be approved by law enforcement and trained by state officials. Republicans control both the House and Senate in South Dakota.

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