Violence Prevention, Pupil Wellness, and School Safety Grant Program., the official text

An act to add Article 5.1 (commencing with Section 233.9) to Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code, relating to school safety.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

Existing law establishes the State Department of Education in state government, and vests the department with specified powers and duties relating to the state’s public school system. Existing law declares the policy of the state to ensure that all local educational agencies work to reduce violence, improve pupil safety at schools, and improve the connections between pupils and supportive adults, schools, and communities.
This bill would require the department, in consultation with the Office of Emergency Services, to establish and administer the Violence Prevention, Pupil Wellness, and School Safety Grant Program to, upon appropriation by the Legislature, award grants to eligible school districts, county offices of education, or charter schools for evidence-based violence prevention, pupil wellness, and public safety initiatives, as specified. The bill would require the department to consult with representatives of the office, local educational agencies, county behavioral health departments, community-based organizations, and public safety agencies when it develops guidelines for the program. The bill would require each grant recipient to submit findings to the department on the effectiveness of its activities funded by the grant and would require the department to use those findings to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2029, evaluating the effectiveness of the grant program and providing recommendations regarding violence prevention, pupil wellness, school safety, and behavioral health investments.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Safe schools and communities are essential to pupil success, academic achievement, workforce development, and economic prosperity.
(2) Communities throughout California continue to experience challenges related to youth violence, chronic absenteeism, behavioral health needs, substance abuse, gang involvement, and emerging digital threats affecting youth and families.
(3) School safety, violence prevention, and pupil well-being are interconnected and require coordinated efforts among educators, families, behavioral health professionals, community organizations, emergency management professionals, and law enforcement agencies.
(4) Evidence-based violence prevention, early intervention, mentoring, counseling, and behavioral health services have been shown to improve educational outcomes, reduce violence, and increase community safety.
(5) Community-based organizations and local governments play a critical role in preventing violence before it occurs and connecting youth and families with needed support services.
(6) Some community-based organizations providing violence prevention and behavioral health services have experienced reductions or uncertainty in available funding, creating challenges in maintaining prevention-focused programs.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to support a comprehensive public safety strategy that addresses both the root causes of violence and the need for safe school and community environments.

SEC. 2.
Article 5.1 (commencing with Section 233.9) is added to Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code, to read:
5.1.
Violence Prevention, Pupil Wellness, and School Safety Grant Program233.9.
(a) The department, in consultation with the Office of Emergency Services, shall establish and administer the Violence Prevention, Pupil Wellness, and School Safety Grant Program.
(b) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the program shall award grants to eligible local educational agencies.
(c) Eligible applicants are encouraged to collaborate with community-based organizations, local governmental agencies, and tribal governments when applying for a grant under the program.
(d) Grant funds may be used for evidence-based violence prevention, pupil wellness, and public safety initiatives, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1) School-based mental health services provided by school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers.
(2) Youth mentoring and positive youth development programs.
(3) Violence interruption and violence intervention programs.
(4) Behavioral health outreach and support services.
(5) Restorative justice and conflict resolution programs.
(6) Programs designed to improve school attendance and pupil engagement.
(7) Suicide prevention and crisis intervention services.
(8) Behavioral health training for educators, behavioral health professionals, and youth-serving personnel.
(e) In awarding grants, the department shall prioritize programs that do all of the following:
(1) Serve communities with demonstrated needs related to youth violence, chronic absenteeism, behavioral health challenges, or public safety concerns.
(2) Use evidence-based or promising practices.
(3) Demonstrate collaboration among schools, community organizations, behavioral health providers, and public safety partners.
(4) Address the needs of underserved or rural communities.
(f) The department shall consult with representatives of the Office of Emergency Services, local educational agencies, county behavioral health departments, community-based organizations, and public safety agencies when the department develops guidelines for the program.
(g) (1) On or before January 1, 2029, the department shall submit a report to the Legislature evaluating the effectiveness of the grant program and providing recommendations regarding violence prevention, pupil wellness, school safety, and behavioral health investments. Each grant recipient shall submit findings to the department on the effectiveness of its activities funded by the grant which shall be used by the department to prepare the report. To the extent that it is feasible, the report shall also include all of the following:
(A) The number and type of grants awarded.
(B) The populations served by the program.
(C) The outcomes achieved by the program.
(D) Best practices identified via the program.
(E) Recommendations for future investments in violence prevention, public safety, and pupil wellness programs.
(2) (A) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under paragraph (1) is inoperative on January 1, 2033, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code.
(B) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(h) For purposes of this section, “local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.