SPONSOR: Appelbaum
This bill authorizes the State Treasury to create the "School-Based Conflict Resolution Grant Program Fund".
This bill also authorizes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create an incentive grant program for school districts and charter schools that train students on conflict resolution education topics and strategies; and that provide mediation opportunities for students in which a neutral third-party facilitator helps students to reach a resolution.
The bill requires the Department to establish and post on its website eligibility criteria, criteria for determining the amount and duration of grants, the contents of the grant application, and the procedures and timelines by which districts and charter schools may apply for grants. The Department may give preference to school districts or charter schools demonstrating the greatest need for a conflict resolution program for their students.
The Department shall also establish a conflict resolution program hotline telephone number that students can call to access services provided by school-based conflict resolution programs.
Any school district or charter school operating a conflict resolution program and receiving money from this grant shall display the hotline telephone number on the school's website or provide literature about the number as well as print the number of student identification cards.
Statutes affected: