IN HB1566

Department of Education must develop a safe and supportive school framework and create a school monitoring tool to help schools identify areas needing improvement related to student safety, mental health, and behavioral support.

School corporations may vote to implement the framework and develop action plans addressing identified needs, with required action plan elements including strategies, timelines, outcome goals, and annual review processes that must be published on the school corporation's website.

Public schools may develop individual action plans with superintendent approval, with planning teams including teachers, parents, students, and community representatives to address school-specific safety and support needs.

Department must provide technical assistance, develop model protocols, host regional training events, establish a grant program for schools implementing action plans, and publish the framework and best practices on its website.

Establishes the safe and supportive school fund with $500,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2017-2018 to award grants to school corporations and public schools for developing and implementing action plans and providing personnel training.