Youth and Community Safety Act; create.

HB 453, the Youth and Community Safety Act, requires Mississippi public schools to annually report unlawful student activity (as defined in Section 37-11-29) to school districts, with districts submitting quarterly reports to the Mississippi Department of Education starting July 2025. The Department must publicly release annual reports via its MAARS database, including data on student referrals to juvenile justice and racial/ethnic classifications. The bill mandates the Department to develop and provide evidence-based staff training by July 2026, focusing on reducing referrals to law enforcement, cultural competency, restorative justice, and alternatives to arrest. It also requires collaboration strategies between schools, law enforcement, and community groups to improve student safety and reduce negative interactions with youth.