An Act relative to safer schools

This bill (HD 4297) requires Massachusetts public schools to establish clearer limits on school resource officers (SROs), prohibiting them from handling routine discipline like minor disruptions. It mandates that SROs only intervene when conduct involves criminal behavior (e.g., violence, property damage, theft) and requires schools to report annually on SRO costs, student interactions with police, and data on arrests/citations - broken down by race and gender. The bill also creates state grants to help schools adopt "holistic safety practices" (like counseling and conflict resolution) instead of relying on law enforcement presence. These changes apply to all public schools, districts, and regional schools, with penalties for failing to submit required reports.