Section 217.710 - Firearms, authority to carry, department's duties, training - rulemaking procedure1. Probation and parole officers, supervisors and members of the parole board, who are certified pursuant to the requirements of subsection 2 of this section shall have the authority to carry their firearms at all times. The department of corrections shall promulgate policies and operating regulations which govern the use of firearms by probation and parole officers, supervisors and members of the parole board when carrying out the provisions of sections 217.650 to 217.810. Mere possession of a firearm shall not constitute an employment activity for the purpose of calculating compensatory time or overtime.2. The department shall determine the content of the required firearms safety training and provide firearms certification and recertification training for probation and parole officers, supervisors and members of the parole board. A minimum of sixteen hours of firearms safety training shall be required. In no event shall firearms certification or recertification training for probation and parole officers and supervisors exceed the training required for officers of the state highway patrol.3. The department shall determine the type of firearm to be carried by the officers, supervisors and members of the parole board.4. Any officer, supervisor or member of the parole board that chooses to carry a firearm in the performance of such officer's, supervisor's or member's duties shall purchase the firearm and holster.5. The department shall furnish such ammunition as is necessary for the performance of the officer's, supervisor's and member's duties.6. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is promulgated under the authority of this chapter, shall become effective only if the agency has fully complied with all of the requirements of chapter 536 including but not limited to, section 536.028, if applicable, after August 28, 1998. All rulemaking authority delegated prior to August 28, 1998, is of no force and effect and repealed as of August 28, 1998, however nothing in section 571.030 or this section shall be interpreted to repeal or affect the validity of any rule adopted and promulgated prior to August 28, 1998. If the provisions of section 536.028 apply, the provisions of this section are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to section 536.028 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule or portion of a rule are held unconstitutional or invalid, the purported grant of rulemaking authority and any rule so proposed and contained in the order of rulemaking shall be invalid and void, except that nothing in section 571.030 or this section shall affect the validity of any rule adopted and promulgated prior to August 28, 1998.Amended by 2021 Mo. Laws, SB 26,s A, eff. 8/28/2021.Amended by 2021 Mo. Laws, SB 53,s A, eff. 8/28/2021.L. 1997 S.B. 367, A.L. 1998 S.B. 478