Sec. 10-263e. Safe learning grant program.

(a) The Department of Education shall establish, within available appropriations, a competitive safe learning grant program to assist school districts in (1) developing a school environment where children learn in safety without fear of physical or verbal harm or intimidation, (2) activities that encourage respect for each student, (3) decreasing early youth aggression, (4) establishing student conflict and intervention policies and strategies, (5) eliminating bullying behaviors among students, (6) extending safe school environment programs to extracurricular activities, (7) after school programs, and (8) the development of crisis and violence prevention policies and strategies which make school environments safe. Each local and regional board of education may apply for a grant at such time and in such manner as the Commissioner of Education prescribes.

(b) The department may accept private donations for purposes of the program provided such donations shall in no way limit the scope of program grants pursuant to this section.

(c) Any unexpended funds appropriated for purposes of this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year but shall be available for expenditure during the next fiscal year for similar programs.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-1, S. 32, 54; P.A. 03-76, S. 33.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-1 effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 03-76 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective June 3, 2003.