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Arkansas Senate Approves Bill Arming Teachers, School Staff

The Arkansas Senate has approved legislation aimed at clearing the way for districts to use teachers, administrators and other staff as armed guards and eliminating the regulatory panel that had resisted similar efforts in the past.

By a 33-1 vote, the Senate on Monday approved legislation abolishing the Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and School Security Agencies. The measure, which now heads to the House, would put the board's duties under the Arkansas State Police.

The move was in response to the board deciding in 2013 to allow 13 districts to continue for two years licenses classifying them as private security firms, but not accept any new applications.

Then-Attorney General Dustin McDaniel had warned the licensing law the districts used for arming staff was intended for private businesses.

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