MS HB1455

State Board of Education must develop a conflict resolution and peer mediation curriculum that is age- and grade-appropriate and incorporate it into all school district instructional curricula by the 2023-2024 school year, with mandatory participation for all "D" and "F" rated school districts.

In failing school districts ("D" or "F" rated), conflict resolution and peer mediation programs must be directly supervised by school resource officers assisted by licensed teachers and professional school counselors to combat violence and bullying.

School districts must provide administrators with alternative disciplinary methods including in-school suspension, temporary alternative school placement, and community services instead of traditional suspension or expulsion.

Students with no prior disciplinary record who commit an act warranting suspension or expulsion may elect to participate in a community service program of at least 40 hours with youth peer counseling as an alternative consequence.

School Resource Officers' roles are expanded to include conflict resolution and peer mediation supervision, and school safety grant programs now explicitly fund peer mediation training and anti-bullying training for faculty and staff.