This bill proposes several updates to the current statutes regarding school safety programs in Arizona. It introduces new language to expand the definition of personnel eligible for funding under the school safety program by including "school psychologists" alongside existing roles such as school counselors and social workers. Additionally, it modifies the application deadline for school districts or charter schools to submit program proposals from April 15 to February 15, allowing for a more timely review process. The bill also clarifies that program proposals can include any combination of the specified personnel, rather than being limited to specific roles.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the requirements for program proposals by mandating that they include a detailed plan for implementing a "school guidance and intervention program." This includes policies on confidentiality and communication with parents, ensuring that school counselors, psychologists, and social workers engage with families before implementing any plans. The bill also introduces a new definition for "school psychologist" and maintains the existing definitions for "school resource officer" and "school social worker," while updating the terminology to reflect the comprehensive nature of the support services provided.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-154