Education (School Safety)

The bill modifies the definition for an 'eligible nonprofit organization' that may receive a disbursement from the school security disbursement program. The modified definition requires that the nonprofit be based in Colorado. and provide school safety incident response, violence prevention, and behavioral health training and expertise at no cost to local education providers, law enforcement agencies, and other first responders from Colorado. The bill requires the department of public safety to disburse all grant money awarded pursuant to the disbursement program for use in the upcoming school year no later than August 1 of that same calendar year. The bill directs the department to give priority to applicants that commit to providing their training to local education providers, local law enforcement agencies, and other local first responders at no charge.(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

The bill requires public schools to provide information to staff, students, and parents or guardians about the safe2tell program. School districts and charter schools are required to create written policy regarding safety reports and other policies related to student safety.The department of public safety is required to create a model message relating to the safe storage of firearms, preventing youth access to firearms, cybersecurity, and online safety. A school district shall annually distribute the model message to families.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The act requires school districts and charter schools to adopt, implement, and post on their websites an achieving community commitment to equitable school success (ACCESS) policy, on or before July 1, 2027, that directs resources and supports toward at-risk students. The act describes what the required policy may include, such as partnerships with community organizations, wraparound services, after-school programs, and tutoring.     School districts and charter schools that are participating in a performance, improvement, priority improvement, or turnaround plan that directs resources and supports to at-risk students satisfies the ACCESS policy requirements and shall post the plan on the school or school district's website.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)