(a) This section shall apply only in Etowah County.

(b) A person who retired from the position of municipal police officer, deputy sheriff, or other position that required certification by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, the commission, and who retired in good standing may be employed as a part-time school resource officer by Etowah County or by a municipality or local school district in Etowah County in accordance with this section.

(c) As a part-time employee, a school resource officer shall not be eligible for health insurance or retirement benefits beyond those benefits the person is already receiving through his or her former full-time employment. Even though part-time, a part-time school resource officer may be required to work a schedule that coincides with a full school day schedule for the period when school is in regular operation and as otherwise needed.

(d) Part-time school resource officers shall have all rights, privileges, and powers of a law enforcement officer certified by the commission under the laws of the state.

(e) A chief of police or sheriff and members of his or her force, as applicable, shall have immunity from civil liability for actions arising from his or her position as a part-time school resource officer.

(f) In a municipality that has its own police force, preference in hiring a part-time school resource officer shall be given to a retired municipal police officer. In all other unincorporated areas of Etowah County, preference in hiring shall be given to a retired deputy sheriff.

(g) Funding for part-time school resource officers may come from local, state, or federal budgets or from any board of education, or a combination thereof. The rate of pay for a part-time school resource officer shall not be tied to any existing pay scale used by the hiring authority but shall instead be at the discretion of the hiring authority.

(h) This section shall not apply to a full-time law enforcement officer serving in the capacity as a school resource officer on a regular basis as of August 1, 2013, and employed by a law enforcement agency. A full-time law enforcement officer working in this capacity may continue his or her full-time status at the discretion of the chief of police or sheriff, as appropriate.