SB22-085: Colorado Safe Student Protection Program

• Creates the Colorado Safe Student Protection Program to provide grants to school districts and charter schools for student safety initiatives, including school bus equipment and parental notification systems.

• Establishes 3-year grants covering school years 2022-23 through 2024-25, with funding available for secure digital notification tools, driver behavior monitoring systems, equipment enabling direct communication with first responders, and school bus safety training.

• Allocates 50% of program funds to a selected program facilitator (public benefit corporation or nonprofit with 7+ years of student safety experience) to develop notification tools, recruit bus drivers, conduct federal transportation security training, and run statewide awareness campaigns.

• Requires school districts to submit applications describing safety challenges, transportation needs, and measurable goals, with awards distributed to achieve balanced geographic coverage across rural, urban, and suburban districts.

• Appropriates $3,500,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2021-22, with unexpended funds carrying forward to 2022-23; program repeals in 2025.