(a)        Except as provided in this section, probation officers are not authorized to visit students during school hours on school property.

(b)        Probation officers of the Division of Community Supervision and Reentry, when working as a part of the Section’s School Partnership Program, may visit students during school hours on school property with prior authorization by school administrators. For purposes of this section, “authorization” includes requests for assistance from guidance counselors or school resource officers.

(c)        Each local board of education shall develop policies and guidelines for coordinating with probation officers of the Division of Community Supervision and Reentry in the planning and scheduling of school visits as provided in this section, utilizing existing administrative capacity to manage scheduling. Visits shall be conducted in a private area designated for such use and located away from contact with the general student population. The probation officer shall not initiate direct contact with a student while the student is in class or between classes. Initial contact with the student shall be made by a school administrator or other designated school employee, who shall direct the student to a private area to meet with the probation officer. ?(2011-145, s. 19.1(k); 2012-149, s. 6; 2017-186, s. 2(xxxx); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(v).)