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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: ED DP 6-4-1-1 |
HB 2142: ADE; school safety; center; programs
Sponsor: Representative Gress, LD 4
House Engrossed
Overview
Creates the School Safety Center (Center) and School Safety Center Council (Council) within the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). Details the duties of the Center, which include administering the School Safety Program (Program).
History
Established within ADE, the Program supports the costs of: 1) placing school resource officers, juvenile probation officers, school safety officers, school counselors and school social workers on school campuses; and 2) purchasing safety technology, safety training and infrastructure improvements for school campuses. ADE, subject to review and approval by the State Board of Education, must distribute monies to participating school districts and charter schools that are in compliance with Program requirements (A.R.S. § 15-154).
A school district or charter school that receives Program monies must develop an emergency response plan and contract with a school safety assessment provider to conduct a school safety assessment every five years. ADE is required to compile a list of approved school safety assessment providers. Every three years, ADE must select a random sample of school districts and charter schools participating in the Program and conduct a safety assessment of the selected school districts and charter schools (A.R.S. § 15-154.02).
A school district governing board and the charter of a charter school must ensure that an emergency response plan is developed for each school in conjunction with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies and in accordance with the minimum standards developed by ADE and the Division of Emergency Management (DEMA) within the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (Division). The plan must address how the school and emergency responders will communicate with and assist students with disabilities (A.R.S. §§ 15-183 and 15-341).
Provisions
1. Establishes the Center within ADE that, with support from the Council, must:
a. use school safety subject matter expertise to identify best practices for enhancing school safety;
b. provide statewide training and professional development to school safety personnel;
c. administer the Program;
d. provide technical assistance to school districts and charter schools for the development of Program proposals and emergency response plans;
e. research and evaluate school safety programs, initiatives, outcomes and prevention measures that promote school safety;
f. conduct school safety risk assessments;
g. adopt guidelines for threat vulnerability assessments and physical campus security planning;
h. adopt guidelines for coordination between schools, the Division, the Department of Public Safety and any local law enforcement agency, emergency medical services provider or fire department that provides services to schools; and
i. provide technical assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance each agency's ability to respond to online threats against schools. (Sec. 4)
2. Specifies the Center may offer specific recommendations to a school based on the findings of a risk assessment that is conducted. (Sec. 4)
3. Places the Program within the Center and tasks the Center with administering the Program and its related requirements. (Sec. 1)
4. Authorizes the Center to use up to $6,500,000 per year from the monies appropriated for the Program for Program administration costs. (Sec. 1)
5. Specifies the Center, rather than more generally ADE, must:
a. compile a list of approved school safety assessment providers; and
b. select, every three years, a random sample of school districts and charter schools participating in the Program and conduct a safety assessment of the selected school districts and charter schools. (Sec. 2)
6. Establishes the 17-member Council to support the Center and that is composed of:
a. 12 members who meet prescribed requirements and who are appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI);
b. 1 member who is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Speaker);
c. 1 member who is appointed by the President of the Senate (President);
d. the Executive Director of the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, or their designee;
e. the Director of DEMA, or their designee; and
f. the Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, or their designee. (Sec. 4)
7. Directs the Council to select a chairperson from among its members each calendar year. (Sec. 4)
8. States Council members are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses as allowed by statute. (Sec. 4)
9. Details the terms of the Council members and instructs the Council chairperson to notify the SPI, Speaker and President of the terms. (Sec. 4)
10. Requires ADE to provide meeting space and administrative support to the Council. (Sec. 4)
11. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2, 3)
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15. Initials CH HB 2142
16. 3/4/2026 Page 0 House Engrossed
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