The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Commission.” The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

“Department.” The Department of Education of the Commonwealth.

“Independent contractor.” An individual, including a retired Federal agent or retired State, municipal or military police officer or retired sheriff or deputy sheriff, whose responsibilities, including work hours, are established in a written contract with a school entity or a nonpublic school for the purpose of performing school security services.

“School entity.” A school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school or private residential rehabilitative institution.

“School police officer.” Any of the following:

“School resource officer.” A law enforcement officer commissioned and employed by a law enforcement agency whose duty station is located in a school entity or nonpublic school and whose stationing is established by an agreement between the law enforcement agency and the school entity or nonpublic school. The term includes an active certified sheriff or deputy sheriff whose stationing in the school entity or nonpublic school is established by a written agreement between the county, the sheriff's office and the school entity or nonpublic school.

“School security guard.” An individual employed by a school entity, nonpublic school or a third-party vendor or an independent contractor who is assigned to a school for routine safety and security duties and has not been granted powers under section 1306-C(a)(3) or (b).²

“School security personnel.” School police officers, school resource officers and school security guards.

“Third-party vendor.” A company or entity approved by the Office for Safe Schools under section 1302-A(b)(8)³ or the commission under section 1315-C(2)⁴ that provides school security services.