AR HB1963

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Psychiatric Research Institute shall establish and operate a pilot program called "ARSafeSchools," a school safety and crisis line accessible by telephone, text message, and smartphone application.

The crisis line allows students to anonymously report unsafe or violent activities, bullying, sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, domestic violence, self-harm, and other behavioral concerns at or near public schools.

The ARSafeSchools line operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services; personnel forward reports to school officials or law enforcement when necessary.

A miscellaneous "ARSafeSchools Fund" is created to receive private grants and other funding to support the school safety and crisis line; the University must submit annual reports by January 1 and July 1.

School districts must establish procedures for responding to reports through the crisis line and include information about anonymous reporting in their discipline policies and antibullying policies.