(ABC 6 News) – The Minnesota House passed changes to the state’s school resource officer law on Monday, sending the bill to the Senate.

Early in the 2024 session, the DFL introduced a bill hoping to bring clarity to the duties of SROs across the state.

In summer of 2023, law enforcement agencies questioned what a school resource officer could or couldn’t do when dealing with an unruly student’s conduct after a new law took effect.

The new bill would allow SROs the ability to use reasonable force to prevent harm to others in a classroom.

The legislation also calls for new SRO standards, including training and conduct.

“We needed to get a fix, we needed to get our school resource officers, back into schools,” said Rep. Jeff White (R-Lakeville) “I’m thankful, all along, that I’ve had my hand extended out to the governor, the Democrat reps, asking to help with a bipartisan fix. We all want our schools to be safe.”

The bill now moves on to the state Senate. If approved, the bill will land on Governor Tim Walz’ desk.