First Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 23-0902.02 Zach Blaes x4348
SENATE BILL 23-241
Senate
Committees House Committees
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING THE CREATION OF THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY , AND,101
IN CONNECTION THEREWITH , REQUIRING THE DIRECTOR OF THE102
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY TO APPOINT A GRANTS MANAGER ,103
CREATING A CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT WITHIN THE OFFICE OF104
SCHOOL SAFETY, SPECIFYING THAT THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL105
SAFETY HAS OVERSIGHT OVER THE SCHOOL SAFETY RESOURCE106
CENTER, SPECIFYING THAT THE SCHOOL ACCESS FOR107
EMERGENCY RESPONSE GRANT PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY108
THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY , AND MAKING AN109
APPROPRIATION.110
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Bridges and Kirkmeyer,
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Bird and Bockenfeld,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov/
.)
Joint Budget Committee. The bill creates the office of school
safety (office) within the office of the executive director in the
department of public safety. The office oversees the school safety
resource center (center), which assists schools in preventing, preparing
for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and crisis situations
by offering training and other supportive services. The director of the
office is required to appoint the director of the center and appoint a grants
manager to assist schools in obtaining funding related to school safety.
The bill also creates the crisis response unit within the office to
assist schools in responding to a crisis or emergency event.
Currently, the school access for emergency response grant program
(SAFER) is administered by the division of homeland security and
emergency management in the department of public safety. The bill
moves the administration of SAFER to the office.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-1802,2
amend (1) and (2); and add (3.5) as follows:3
24-33.5-1802. Definitions. As used in this part 18, unless the4
context otherwise requires:5
(1) "Advisory board" means the school safety resource center6
advisory board created in the
OFFICE IN THE department pursuant to7
section 24-33.5-1804.8
(2) "Center" means the school safety resource center created in the9
department
OFFICE pursuant to section 24-33.5-1803.10
(3.5) "O
FFICE" MEANS THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY CREATED IN11
SECTION 24-33.5-2702.12
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-1803,13
amend (1) and (2) as follows:14
SB23-241-2- 24-33.5-1803. School safety resource center - created - duties.1
(1) There is hereby created within the department OFFICE the school2
safety resource center to assist schools in preventing, preparing for,3
responding to, and recovering from emergencies and crisis situations and4
to foster positive learning environments. The director of the center shall5
be IS appointed by the executive director DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE6
pursuant to section 13 of article XII of the state constitution.7
(2) The center and the director shall exercise their powers and8
perform their duties and functions under the department and the executive9
director as if the same were transferred to the department by a type 210
transfer, as such transfer is defined in the "Administrative Organization11
Act of 1968", article 1 of this title IS A TYPE 2 ENTITY, AS DEFINED IN12
SECTION 24-1-105, AND EXERCISES ITS POWERS AND PERFORMS ITS DUTIES13
AND FUNCTIONS UNDER THE OFFICE .14
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-1804,15
amend (1) as follows:16
24-33.5-1804. School safety resource center advisory board -17
created. (1) There is hereby created in the department OFFICE the school18
safety resource center advisory board to recommend policies of the19
center.20
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 24-33.5-180521
as follows:22
24-33.5-1805. Authorization to contract for services. The23
department OFFICE is authorized to contract for services with any state,24
county, local, municipal,
NONPROFIT ENTITY, or private agency to25
implement the provisions of this part 18 and fulfill the duties of the26
center, which duties are described in section 24-33.5-1803 (3).27
SB23-241
-3- SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 24-33.5-18061
as follows:2
24-33.5-1806. Evaluation - report. (1) N
OTWITHSTANDING3
SECTION 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), on or before January 1, 2010, AND ON OR4
BEFORE JANUARY 1 OF EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, the director shall prepare5
and submit to the executive director a report evaluating the efficacy and6
value of the services provided by the center to schools.7
(2) N
OTWITHSTANDING SECTION 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), on or before8
January 15, 2010,
AND ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 15 OF EACH YEAR9
THEREAFTER, the executive director shall prepare and submit to the10
education and judiciary committees of the house of representatives and11
the senate, or any successor committees, a report evaluating the efficacy12
and value of the services provided by the center to schools.13
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-2103,14
amend (3) as follows:15
24-33.5-2103. Definitions. As used in this part 21, unless the16
context otherwise requires:17
(3) "Director" means the director of the division of homeland
18
security and emergency management created in section 24-33.5-160319
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY CREATED IN SECTION 24-33.5-2702.20
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-2104,21
amend (1) and (3) as follows:22
24-33.5-2104. School access for emergency response grant23
program - created - rules. (1) There is hereby created in the department24
in the division of homeland security and emergency management OFFICE25
OF SCHOOL SAFETY CREATED IN SECTION 24-33.5-2702 the school access26
for emergency response grant program to provide grants to schools and27
SB23-241
-4- public safety communications system owners to provide funding for1
needed interoperable communication hardware, software, equipment2
maintenance, and training to allow for seamless communications between3
new or existing school communications systems and first responder4
communications systems.5
(3) The division of homeland security and emergency6
management OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY CREATED IN SECTION7
24-33.5-2702 shall administer the grant program and, subject to available8
appropriations, shall award grants as provided in this part 21. Subject to9
available appropriations, grants shall MUST be paid out of the fund created10
in section 24-33.5-2107.11
SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-2105,12
amend (1) introductory portion as follows:13
24-33.5-2105. Grant program - application - criteria - awards.14
(1) A school is required to have a memorandum of understanding with15
its regional public safety 911 answering point or the local law16
enforcement agency or agencies that serve the school for communications17
interoperability to be eligible to apply for a grant. To receive a grant, a18
school must submit an application to the division of homeland security19
and emergency management OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY CREATED IN20
SECTION 24-33.5-2702 in accordance with rules promulgated by the21
director. At a minimum, the application must include the following22
information:23
SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-2106,24
amend (1) introductory portion as follows:25
24-33.5-2106. Reporting requirements. (1) On or before26
January 15, 2020, and on or before January 15 each year thereafter for the27
SB23-241
-5- duration of the grant program, each school that receives a grant through1
the grant program shall submit a report to the division of homeland2
security and emergency management OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY CREATED3
IN SECTION 24-33.5-2702. At a minimum, the report must include the4
following information:5
SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 27 to6
article 33.5 of title 24 as follows:7
PART 278
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY9
24-33.5-2701. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS PART 27, UNLESS THE10
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :11
(1) "C
ENTER" MEANS THE SCHOOL SAFETY RESOURCE CENTER12
CREATED IN SECTION 24-33.5-1803.13
(2) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY .14
(3) "D
IRECTOR" MEANS THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE.15
(4) "E
XECUTIVE DIRECTOR" MEANS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF16
THE DEPARTMENT.17
(5) "O
FFICE" MEANS THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY CREATED IN18
SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION.19
(6) "S
CHOOL" MEANS AN INSTITUTION AT WHICH INSTRUCTION IS20
PROVIDED BY INSTRUCTORS TO STUDENTS IN ONE OR MORE BUILDINGS ON21
A CAMPUS. "SCHOOL" INCLUDES A SCHOOL SERVING ANY OF GRADES22
PRESCHOOL THROUGH TWELVE AND AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER23
EDUCATION.24
24-33.5-2702. Office of school safety - created - duties - grants25
manager - crisis response unit. (1) T
HE OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY IS26
HEREBY CREATED WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR . THE27
SB23-241
-6- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL APPOINT A DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE1
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF ARTICLE XII OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION.2
T
HE OFFICE IS A TYPE 2 ENTITY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 24-1-105, AND3
EXERCISES ITS POWERS AND PERFORMS ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS UNDER4
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.5
(2) T
HE OFFICE HAS THE FOLLOWING DUTIES:6
(a) T
O OVERSEE THE CENTER;7
(b) T
O ADMINISTER THE SCHOOL ACCESS FOR EMERGENCY8
RESPONSE GRANT PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION 24-33.5-2104;9
(c) T
O PROMOTE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SCHOOL SAFETY SUPPORT10
FOR ALL SCHOOLS;11
(d) T
O ASSIST SCHOOLS IN ASSESSING ANY SCHOOL SAFETY12
CHALLENGES;13
(e) T
O ASSIST SCHOOLS IN OBTAINING ANY AVAILABLE FUNDING OR14
GRANTS RELATED TO SCHOOL SAFETY ;15
(f) T
O PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE16
SCHOOL SAFETY; AND17
(g) A
NY OTHER DUTIES THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DEEMS18
NECESSARY.19
(3) T
HE DIRECTOR SHALL APPOINT A GRANTS MANAGER TO ASSIST20
SCHOOLS IN OBTAINING ANY FUNDING OR GRANTS AVAILABLE PURSUANT21
TO PART 18 OF ARTICLE 33.5 OF TITLE 24, ANY FUNDING AVAILABLE22
PURSUANT TO PART 21 OF ARTICLE 33.5 OF TITLE 24, AND ANY OTHER23
AVAILABLE FUNDING RELATED TO SCHOOL SAFETY .24
(4) T
HE CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT IS HEREBY CREATED WITHIN THE25
OFFICE. THE UNIT SHALL ASSIST SCHOOLS IN RESPONDING TO A CRISIS OR26
EMERGENCY EVENT.27
SB23-241
-7- SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-1-128.6, add1
(10) and (11) as follows:2
24-1-128.6. Department of public safety - creation - repeal.3
(10) T
HE OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY, CREATED IN SECTION 24-33.5-2702,4
IS A TYPE 2 ENTITY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 24-1-105, AND EXERCISES ITS5
POWERS AND PERFORMS ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS UNDER THE OFFICE OF6
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY .7
(11) T
HE SCHOOL RESOURCE CENTER , CREATED IN SECTION8
24-33.5-1803,
IS A TYPE 2 ENTITY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 24-1-105, AND9
EXERCISES ITS POWERS AND PERFORMS ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS UNDER10
THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY IN THE OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE11
DIRECTOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY .12
SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-1.5-113, amend13
(1)(g) as follows:14
25-1.5-113. Crisis and suicide prevention training grant15
program - creation - process - reporting requirements - fund -16
definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise17
requires:18
(g) "School safety resource center" means the school safety19
resource center in the
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY IN THE OFFICE OF THE20
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE department of public safety, established21
pursuant to section 24-33.5-1803.22
SECTION 13. Appropriation. (1) For the 2023-24 state fiscal23
year, $14,798,091 is appropriated to the department of public safety for24
use by the office of school safety. This appropriation consists of25
$9,401,600 from the general fund, $5,000,000 from the school access for26
emergency response grant program cash fund created in section27
SB23-241
-8- 24-33.5-2107 (1)(a), C.R.S., $250,000 from the marijuana tax cash fund1
created in section 39-28.8-501 (1), C.R.S., $146,491 from the school2
safety resource center cash fund created in section 24-33.5-1807 (1),3
C.R.S. To implement this act, the office may use this appropriation as4
follows:5
(a) $5,524,916, which consists of $274,916 from the general fund,6
$5,000,000 from the school access for emergency response grant program7
cash fund, and $250,000 from the marijuana tax cash fund, for8
administrative services, which amount is based on an assumption that the9
office will require an additional 1.8 FTE;10
(b) $1,825,744, which consists of $1,679,253 from the general11
fund and $146,491 from the school safety resource center cash fund for12
the school safety resource center, which amount is based on an13
assumption that the office will require an additional 11.2 FTE;14
(c) $1,144,023 from the general fund for the crisis response unit,15
which amount is based on an assumption that the office will require an16
additional 3.7 FTE;17
(d) $303,408 from the general fund for threat assessment, which18
amount is based on an assumption that the office will require an19
additional 0.5 FTE; and20
(e) $6,000,000 from the general fund for the school security21
disbursement program.22
(2) For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $313,951 is appropriated to23
the department of public safety for use by the executive director's office.24
This appropriation is from the general fund. To implement this act, the25
office may use this appropriation as follows:26
(a) $108,422 for personal services, which amount is based on an27
SB23-241
-9- assumption that the office will require an additional 0.9 FTE;1
(b) $80,761 for health, life, and dental;2
(c) $1,141 for short-term disability;3
(d) $35,571 for amortization equalization disbursement;4
(e) $35,571 for supplemental amortization equalization5
disbursement;6
(f) $9,135 for operating expenses;7
(g) $10,800 for vehicle lease payments; and,8
(h) $32,550 for leased space.9
SECTION 14. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,10
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate11
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.12
SB23-241
-10-