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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
technical correction; estates
(NOW: education; incident prevention; appropriation)
Purpose
Appropriates $150,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2023 to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) for grants to public schools for an electronic incident prevention program.
Background
A school
district governing board must prescribe and enforce policies to prohibit pupils
from harassing, intimidating and bullying other pupils on school grounds, on
school property, on school buses, at school bus stops, at school-sponsored
events and through the use of electronic technology or electronic communication
on school computers, networks, forums and mailing lists. The policies must
include: 1) confidential reporting procedures and consequences for false
reporting; 2) formal documentation and investigation processes; 3) disciplinary
procedures; 4) a requirement that school district employees report suspected
incidents to a school official; and
5) circumstances when a school official must provide a written copy of the
rights, protections and support services available to a pupil who is an alleged
victim. A school district governing board must report to local law enforcement
agencies any suspected crime that is a serious offense, involves a deadly
weapon, dangerous instrument or serious physical injury or any conduct posing a
threat of death or serious physical injury to anyone on school property (A.R.S. § 15-341).
ADE receives two federal Project Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (Project AWARE) grants which support a comprehensive plan to decrease youth violence and support the healthy development of school-aged youth through evidence-based practice and onsite mental health professionals. Project AWARE implements infrastructure, engagement and training to improve access to mental health services and support. Project AWARE I and II grants each serve three schools for five years (ADE).
The School Safety Program, established within ADE, supports, promotes and enhances safe and effective learning environments for all students by supporting the costs of placing school resource officers, juvenile probation officers, school counselors and school social workers on school campuses. A School Safety Task Force is established by ADE to focus on school climate, prevention, mental health, and relationship building (A.R.S. § 15-154; ADE).
H.B. 2134 appropriates $150,000 from the state GF in FY 2023 to ADE to distribute student safety grants to public schools.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $150,000 from the state GF in FY 2023 to ADE for awarding student safety grants to public schools.
2. Requires a public school to use the grant monies to procure and implement an electronic incident prevention program.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
APPROP 2/21/22 DPA/SE 7-6-0-0
3rd Read 3/10/22 53-4-3
Prepared by Senate Research
March 18, 2022
LB/MS/slp