HB 20-1238 Summary

• Requires the Colorado Department of Education to give preference to grant applicants that articulate a strong, comprehensive approach to significantly reduce school policing, school resource officers, and invasive security technologies and practices.

• Prioritizes applicants that implement evidence-based or promising practices including restorative justice programs, increased mental health professionals, substance use treatment services, wraparound services, and trauma-informed staff training.

• Applies preference criteria to four specific grant programs: student re-engagement, expelled and at-risk student services, school bullying prevention and education, and behavioral health care professional matching.

• Also gives preference to applicants demonstrating current use of the evidence-based and promising practices described in the bill.

• Takes effect August 5, 2020, unless subject to a referendum petition, in which case voter approval at the November 2020 general election is required.