The proposed bill would amend current statutes to expand the School Safety Program by including support for the costs associated with implementing a policy to limit the use of cell phones in school classrooms. Specifically, it would insert new requirements for program proposals, which must now include a detailed description of the school safety needs, a plan for implementing the cell phone policy, and information on the success of previous grants if applicable. This addition aims to enhance the existing framework that currently supports the placement of school resource officers, juvenile probation officers, school counselors, and social workers.

Additionally, the bill would require the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of these new program proposals in the same manner as it currently does for proposals related to SROs and JPOs. The bill also makes technical and conforming changes to ensure consistency across the statutes. Overall, the updates aim to create a more comprehensive approach to school safety by addressing the role of cell phone usage in classrooms.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-154, 15-155, 41-2534, 35-190
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-154, 15-155, 41-2534, 35-190