NC H989

Establishes the School Safety Grants Program administered by the Executive Director of the Center for Safer Schools, providing grants to public school units for student crisis services, school safety training, and safety equipment

Appropriates $20 million per year in nonrecurring ARPA funds for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to the State Bureau of Investigation to fund the program, with intent to convert to recurring funding starting in 2027-2029

Caps spending at $350,000 per fiscal year each for crisis services (crisis respite, therapeutic foster care, evidence-based therapy) and training services (CALM suicide prevention training, trauma-focused therapy training, community resilience models)

Prioritizes safety equipment grants for items including exterior doors with push bars, vehicle barriers, security monitoring systems, active shooter alarms, two-way radios, perimeter fencing, bullet-resistant glass, and door-locking systems

Requires grant applications to include a safety needs assessment conducted with local law enforcement, and mandates annual reporting to legislative oversight committees by April 1 each year