This bill authorizes the New Hampshire Department of Education to establish a Safe and Resilient Schools Advisory Council, which will be responsible for developing guidelines and best practices aimed at enhancing school safety and resilience. The council will focus on identifying and addressing mental health crises and behavioral issues among students, including those who are neurodivergent. The council will consist of various members, including representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services, school administrators, law enforcement, and mental health organizations, and will be chaired by the commissioner of the Department of Education. The council is tasked with reviewing existing programs and developing a comprehensive framework that includes training for school personnel and law enforcement, as well as guidelines for data collection on the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Additionally, the bill establishes the New Hampshire Safe and Resilient Schools Fund, which will be a nonlapsing fund managed by the state treasurer. This fund will include appropriations from federal and state grants, as well as private donations, and will be used to support the initiatives developed by the advisory council. Expenditures from the fund will require approval from the commissioner of education and the joint fiscal committee. The bill also includes a new subparagraph in RSA 6:12 to account for the moneys deposited into this fund. The act will take effect upon its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12
SB658 text: 6:12