Sec. 13. (a) The school safety specialist training and certification program is established.

     (b) The school safety specialist training and certification program shall provide:

(1) annual training sessions, which may be conducted through distance learning or at regional centers; and

(2) information concerning best practices and available resources;

for school safety specialists and county school safety commissions.

     (c) The department of education, in consultation with the board, shall do the following:

(1) Assemble an advisory group of school safety specialists from around the state to make recommendations concerning the curriculum and standards for school safety specialist training.

(2) Develop an appropriate curriculum and the standards for the school safety specialist training and certification program. The department of education may consult with national school safety experts in developing the curriculum and standards. The curriculum developed under this subdivision must include training in:

(A) identifying, preventing, and intervening in bullying and cyberbullying;

(B) identifying, preventing, and intervening in criminal organization activity;

(C) identifying, preventing, and intervening in actions by a person who is present on school property with the intent to harm another person;

(D) developing and implementing a school safety plan in accordance with this chapter;

(E) using a county school safety commission to improve school safety and emergency preparedness; and

(F) using safe school committees to improve safety and emergency preparedness for each school building.

(3) Administer the school safety specialist training and certification program, including the following duties:

(A) Establish a school safety specialist certificate for candidates eligible under section 9 of this chapter who have successfully completed the training program.

(B) Review the qualifications of each candidate, determine their eligibility for certification, and present a certificate to each school safety specialist eligible for certification.

As added by P.L.150-2023, SEC.14.