Second Regular Session S.B. 1023
PROPOSED
SENATE AMENDMENTS TO S.B. 1023
(Reference to printed bill)
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert:
"Section 1. Title 15, chapter 1, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-160, to read:
15-160. Safe schools plans; requirements; model plan; posting
A. Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, each school district shall adopt a safe schools plan that addresses how the school district will recognize, initially screen for and respond to emotional or behavioral distress in pupils, including indicators of possible substance abuse, violence and youth suicide.
B. At a minimum, each safe schools plan shall do all of the following:
1. Identify possible training opportunities for school staff in recognizing and screening for emotional or behavioral distress in pupils and in referring those pupils to the appropriate entities.
2. Include efforts to use the expertise of current school staff who have been trained in recognizing, screening and referring as described in paragraph 1 of this subsection.
3. Describe how school staff should respond to suspicions, concerns or warning signs of emotional or behavioral distress in pupils.
4. Identify and develop partnerships with community organizations and agencies to refer pupils to health, mental health, substance abuse and social support services, including developing at least one memorandum of understanding between the school district and an appropriate entity in the community.
5. Include protocols and procedures for communicating with parents and students.
6. Describe how school staff should respond to a crisis situation in which a pupil is an imminent danger to self or others.
7. Describe how the school district will provide support to pupils and school staff after an incident of violence or youth suicide.
C. Each school district shall annually provide the safe schools plan it adopts pursuant to this section to all persons who are employed by the school district.
D. A school district shall notify and obtain consent from a parent before screening or referring a pupil according to the safe schools plan it adopts pursuant to this section.
E. A safe schools plan adopted pursuant to this section may be a separate plan or a component of a broader plan or policy.
F. The superintendent of public instruction shall:
1. On or before february 1, 2021, develop and post on the department of education's website a model safe schools plan along with relevant resources and information to support school districts in developing and implementing a safe schools plan pursuant to this section.
2. Annually post on the department of education's website:
(a) a list of statewide resources, including community-based organizations, that provide support to youth who have been subjected to school-based discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying.
(b) a list of statewide resources for youth who have been affected by gangs, domestic violence and psychological trauma caused by violence at home, at school and in the community.
(c) updates to the information prescribed in this paragraph."
Amend title to conform