Bill Summary: HF4439

Safe Schools Revenue

• Maximum levy for safe schools purposes increases to $36 per adjusted pupil unit, with fiscal year 2019 initial revenue of $54 per pupil unit or $22,500 minimum, and fiscal year 2020+ revenue of $72 per pupil unit or $30,000 minimum.
• Revenue may fund peace officers, drug abuse prevention, gang resistance education, facility security, mental health professionals, school climate improvements, and related expenses.
• $19,814,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2019 safe schools revenue.

Pupil Discipline and Dismissal

• Schools must use nonexclusionary disciplinary policies and practices before dismissal proceedings, including positive behavioral interventions, mental health services, and special education referrals.
• Schools must conduct threat assessments prior to expulsion or exclusion and include threat assessment records when transferring student disciplinary files.
• Pupil withdrawal agreements limited to maximum 12 months and require threat assessment; suspended students must receive alternative education services and opportunity to complete assignments for full credit.
• Schools must report exclusions, expulsions, physical assaults, and pupil withdrawal agreements to the commissioner within 30 days.

School-Linked Mental Health Grants

• $5,000,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2019 for school-linked mental health grants to counties, tribes, collaboratives, and qualified mental health providers.
• Eligible applicants must be certified mental health providers or employ at least two full-time equivalent mental health professionals.