Substitute House Bill 123 Summary

• Enacts the "Safety and Violence Education Students (SAVE Students) Act" requiring schools to provide evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training plus violence prevention instruction for grades 6-12, with at least one hour or class period per school year for each subject, beginning two years after the bill's effective date.

• Establishes threat assessment teams in schools serving grades 6-12 that must complete approved training from the Department of Public Safety; requires schools to register with the SaferOH anonymous tip line or use an alternative anonymous reporting program operating 24/7.

• Transfers emergency management plan authority from the State Board of Education to the Director of Public Safety; requires comprehensive emergency plans including threat assessment procedures, protocols for serious threats, floor plans, and site plans, with submission to the director of public safety.

• Creates a pilot program for fiscal year 2021 providing supplemental funding to eligible internet- or computer-based community schools with dropout prevention programs and "exceeds standards" graduation ratings, with payments based on student enrollment, participation hours, and course completion.

• Defines "evidence-based" programs using high-quality research or statistically significant effects; authorizes school safety training grants for public schools, educational service centers, and law enforcement agencies to support school resource officer training, active shooter training, mental health identification, and safety equipment.