Relating to firearm safety instruction in school districts

This bill relates to firearm safety instruction in school districts. The bill requires the director of the department of education to develop and distribute to all school districts an age-appropriate model program for firearm instruction for pupils enrolled in kindergarten through grade by July 1, 2026. The model program for students enrolled in grades kindergarten through six is required to be based on the eddie eagle gunsafe program, and the model program for students enrolled in grades through is required to be based on the hunter education course developed by the national rifle association. Commencing with the school year beginning July 1, 2026, the bill requires school districts to offer or make available an approved firearm safety instruction course to all students enrolled in the school district in grades through and all students enrolled in grades through attending a nonpublic school in the school district. The bill provides that an instructor for an approved firearm safety instruction course is not required to be a teacher licensed by the board of educational examiners. The bill authorizes school districts to offer firearm safety instruction courses at sites that are not located on school district property. The bill provides that an approved course offered during the summer months, on Saturdays, after regular school hours during the regular terms or partly in one term or summer vacation period and partly in the succeeding term or summer vacation period shall satisfy the bill’s requirements.3.16.2. The inclusion of this specification is intended to reinstate the requirement of political subdivisions to comply with any state mandates included in the bill.