HBA-MPM S.B. 430 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 430 By: Shapiro Public Education 4/26/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas School Safety Center (center) exists as a grant-funded organization within the Criminal Justice Division of the Office of the Governor, where it collects and analyzes information and provides training related to school violence prevention. Senate Bill 430 establishes the center as a permanent entity. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 430 amends the Education Code to create the Texas School Safety Center (center) to serve as a central location for school safety information and a resource for the prevention of youth violence and the promotion of safety in the state. The bill provides that the center is governed by a board of directors (board) and sets forth provisions related to the composition, administration, and operation of the board. The bill requires the governor to make initial appointments to the board no later than October 1, 2001. The bill requires the center to conduct for school districts a safety training program that includes development of a positive school environment and proactive safety measures designed to address local concerns, school safety courses for law enforcement officials, discussion of school safety issues with parents and community members, and specialized training for the staff of alternative education programs and juvenile justice alternative education programs. S.B. 430 requires the center to conduct a statewide school safety summit that emphasizes mobilization of schools, families, and communities. The bill requires the center to develop a model safety and security audit procedure. On request of a school district, the center is required to provide on-site technical assistance. The center is required to develop and maintain an interactive Internet website. The bill requires the center to sponsor a student essay contest entitled "Charting the Course for School Safety," and to provide for the public recognition of schools that implement effective school safety measures and violence prevention. The bill requires the center to promote cooperation between state agencies, institutions of higher education, and any local juvenile delinquency prevention councils to address discipline and safety issues in the state. The center is required to develop model agreements to be used between school districts and other entities that address the provision of services to youth at risk of committing violent acts. The center is authorized to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from public and private entities for the purposes of this bill. The bill requires the board to annually approve a budget for the center and to biennially prepare a budget request for submission to the legislature. S.B. 430 requires the board no later than September 1 of each year to provide a report to the governor, the legislature, the State Board of Education, and the Texas Education Agency that includes any findings made by the center regarding school safety and the center's functions, budget information, and strategic planning initiatives. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.