ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session

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HB 2705: schools; safety training; pilot program

Sponsor: Representative Biasiucci, LD 30

Committee on Education

Overview

Establishes the School Active Threat Response Pilot Program (Pilot Program) within the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). Appropriates monies to ADE for the Pilot Program.

History

A school district governing board, in conjunction with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies, must develop an emergency response plan for each school in accordance with established minimum standards (A.R.S. § 15-341).

The School Safety Program within ADE supports the costs of placing school resource officers (SROs), juvenile probation officers (JPOs) and school counselors and social workers. If a school applies for funding for an SRO or JPO, its proposal must include: 1) a detailed description of safety needs; 2) a plan to use trained SROs or JPOs, or both; and 3) if the school has previously participated, information on the success of the most recent grant (A.R.S. § 15-154).

Additionally, ADE is required to conduct a random survey of school districts on school safety every four years and submit a report summarizing the results (A.R.S. § 15-231.03).

Provisions

1. Creates the Pilot Program in ADE to provide school safety training and support to school districts and charter schools. (Sec. 1)

2. Instructs ADE to develop training for teachers and administrators that includes:

a) recognition of early warning signs of an imminent threat;

b) emergency response to active threats; and

c) firearm safety training. (Sec. 1)

3. Requires ADE to establish procedures for school districts and charter schools to opt into the Pilot Program. (Sec. 1)

4. Directs ADE, subject to available monies, to provide school districts and charter schools that have opted into the Pilot Program with the training developed by ADE and medical response equipment or reimbursement for the purchase of medical response equipment related to school active threat response training and preparedness. (Sec. 1)

5. Allows ADE to adopt policies and procedures to carry out the Pilot Program. (Sec. 1)

6. Repeals the Pilot Program on January 1, 2028. (Sec. 1)

7. Appropriates $10,000,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2024 to ADE for the Pilot Program. (Sec. 2)

8. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing, except all unencumbered or unexpended monies on December 31, 2027 revert to the state GF. (Sec. 2)

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12.                   HB 2705

13. Initials CH Page 0 Education

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