Senate Bill 2538

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM MAY OFFER MENTORING OR OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED POLICING PROGRAMS FORMED IN PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING FOR STUDENTS CONDUCTED BY SCREENERS SELECTED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH; TO REQUIRE THE SCHOOL BOARD OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT AN "ERIN'S LAW AWARENESS" POLICY ADDRESSING SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN, TO BE BASED ON A MODEL POLICY DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WORKING IN CONCERT; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REIMPLEMENT THE PILOT PROGRAMS FOR PROVIDING STUDENTS IN GRADES K-5 WITH SKILLS TO MANAGE STRESS AND ANXIETY IN 12 SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE 2025-2026 AND 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEARS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE LEGISLATURE REGARDING THE RESULTS OF THE PILOT PROGRAMS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-93, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE CHAPLAINS IN THE QUICK RESPONSE TEAM MADE AVAILABLE BY THE OFFICE CREATED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE SCHOOL CRISIS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM; TO TRANSFER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING THREAT ASSESSMENT OFFICERS FROM THE MISSISSIPPI OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, USING THE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION CURRICULUM PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY; TO REQUIRE EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOL TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF A THREAT ASSESSMENT OFFICER FOR THE DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO FORM A COORDINATING COUNCIL TO OVERSEE A BEHAVIORAL THREAT ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO USE FOR IDENTIFYING AND EVALUATING STUDENTS IN NEED OF MENTAL OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT, AND FOR CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH SUPPORT RESOURCES; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL SELECT EIGHT PERSONS, TWO FROM EACH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, TO SERVE ON THE COORDINATING COUNCIL EACH CALENDAR YEAR; TO ALLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SERVE SUCCESSIVE TERMS WITHOUT LIMITATION; TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO EMPLOY OR ACCEPT AS VOLUNTEERS CHAPLAINS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS; TO REQUIRE EACH SUCH EMPLOYED OR VOLUNTEERING CHAPLAIN TO UNDERGO A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK BEFORE WORKING FOR THE SCHOOL; TO PROHIBIT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS FROM ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDERS FROM PROVIDING CHAPLAIN SERVICES; TO DIRECT EACH BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND EACH GOVERNING BODY OF A CHARTER SCHOOL TO TAKE A RECORD VOTE ON WHETHER TO ADOPT A POLICY, WHICH SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR, AUTHORIZING A CAMPUS OF THE DISTRICT OR SCHOOL TO EMPLOY A CHAPLAIN OR ACCEPT THE SAME AS A VOLUNTEER; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-7-301, 37-11-54 AND 37-28-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO PROVIDE FOR THE SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT WHICH MAY BE DEEMED UNCONSTITUTIONAL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the Senate

• David Parker

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the Senate Jan 20 – Feb 4

1. Jan 20Referred to the Senate committee on Education
2. Feb 4Died in committee in the Senate