Senate Engrossed

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-fourth Legislature

First Regular Session

2019

 

 

SENATE BILL 1044

 

 

 

AN ACT

 

providing for the establishment of a safe schools plan task force.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Safe schools plan task force; duties; report; delayed repeal

A.  The superintendent of public instruction shall establish a safe schools plan task force within the department of education to identity best practices, model programs and successful strategies to improve mental health supports in public schools.

B.  The task force shall include at least the following:

1.  Students and student organizations.

2.  Administrators.

3.  Counselors.

4.  Licensed mental health professionals.

5.  Law enforcement officers.

6.  Teachers. 

C.  The task force shall:

1.  Explore the potential use of advanced online youth emotional health and crisis response systems that have been developed for use in other states and countries.

2.  Suggest to all school district governing boards a school safety plan that includes at least the following:

(a)  Reliable protocols and procedures for communicating with parents.

(b)  Training opportunities in recognition, screening and referral that may be available for school staff.

3.  Identify and develop partnerships with community organizations and agencies to refer students for health, mental health, substance abuse and social support services.

4.  Identify potential resource documents to access mental health and substance abuse supports, including online crisis systems, and post these documents on the department of education's website.

5.  On or before December 31, 2021, submit a report to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chairperson of the senate education committee and the chairperson of the education committee of the house of representatives that includes the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the task force.  The task force shall submit a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

D.  This section is repealed from and after December 31, 2024.