The bill SB1405 establishes the Purple Star School Program within the Arizona Department of Education to support military students and their families during transitions. Schools can apply to be part of the program if they meet certain criteria, such as providing professional development training to at least 70% of staff on the unique needs of military students, designating a point of contact for the program, establishing a peer mentorship program, holding at least one patriotic event annually, and maintaining a website with resources for military families. The bill outlines detailed requirements for these criteria and mandates annual reporting by participating schools to ensure compliance.

The bill also defines terms such as "military," "military student," "Purple Star School," and "veteran." It specifies that professional development training must be politically neutral and allows for in-kind donations to support the training. If a school fails to meet the program's requirements or submit the annual report, the Department of Education can revoke its Purple Star School status. The bill becomes effective on the general effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-249.01
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-249.01