Defines “school resource officer” in new GS 115C-105.70 as a law enforcement officer assigned to public schools for at least 20 hours per week for more than 12 weeks per calendar year to assist with all of the listed activities, including school security and emergency preparedness. Requires resource officers to comply with the training requirements of the act within one year of being assigned to a school for those officers assigned after January 1, 2026, and mandates continuing education standards thereafter. Directs the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission to establish the required training for school resource officers, including mental health, students with disabilities, racial equity, and crisis intervention and de-escalation.

Amends GS 17C-6(a) to add establishing the initial training and continuing education requirements for school resource officers to the powers of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. Amends GS 17E-4(a) to add the same for the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission. Requires the two commissions to establish initial training requirements no later than January 15, 2027.

Allows school resource officers assigned before January 1, 2027, to complete the initial training no later than December 31, 2027.

Adds new GS 7B-1802A (School-based complaints), which requires a school-based juvenile delinquency complaint initiated by a school resource officer to be signed by a school administrator or school social worker prior to being referred or filed in court. Effective and applicable to school-based complaints initiated on or after January 1, 2027, by school resource officers.

Requires the Executive Director of the Center for Safer Schools (Center) to establish the School Resource Officer Critical Needs Grant Program (Program) to provide qualifying public school units with grants for costs incurred from any increase in salaries or pay due to implementing GS 115C-10.70. Gives preference to local school administrative units that (1) receive funds under part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, (2) are in a rural area, and (3) serve K-8th grade. Appropriates $1 million in recurring funds beginning in 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Center to use for the program. Effective July 1, 2026.