(a) There is created the Jerry F. Agee Tennessee law enforcement training academy, for the purpose of training police and law enforcement officers in the methods of maintaining law enforcement services in state, municipal, county and metropolitan jurisdictions.

(b) In addition to attendance by law enforcement officers at the academy, students pursuing a degree with a major in law enforcement, criminal justice, or police science in a college or university of this state, and former members of the military who have been honorably discharged and who served a minimum of three (3) years' full-time service in the military, shall also be eligible for enrollment and training, the same as if the students and former members of the military were law enforcement officers in the academy. The students and former military members shall also meet the requirements set forth in § 38-8-106 and the standards established by the peace officer standards and training commission as required for law enforcement officers attending the academy.

(c) The academy shall also have the authority to provide specialized training to other government or private sector employees whose work impacts public safety, such as court officials, emergency services personnel, process servers, hospital personnel and employees of the criminal justice system. It is the intent of the general assembly that the training be provided at no additional cost to the state. The director of the academy shall have full discretion in scheduling any additional training sessions offered by the academy; provided, that the training of state or local governmental law enforcement employees be given priority over private employee training.