The state school security director appointed pursuant to section 79-2,143 shall be responsible for providing leadership and support for safety and security for the public schools. Duties of the director include, but are not limited to:

(1) On or before December 1, 2019, the department shall develop and distribute a model memorandum of understanding that includes the policies required by section 79-2704. Any law enforcement agency or security agency required to adopt a memorandum of understanding with a school district pursuant to this section that has not developed and adopted a different written memorandum of understanding shall adopt the model memorandum of understanding developed by the department.

(2) On and after January 1, 2021, any law enforcement agency which provides school resource officers and any security agency which provides security guards to schools in a school district shall have in effect the model memorandum of understanding or a different written memorandum of understanding with such school district as adopted by such law enforcement agency or security agency. Such different written memorandum of understanding shall be substantially similar to the model memorandum of understanding, shall include provisions in conformance with the minimum standards set forth in the model memorandum of understanding, and may include any other procedures and provisions the school district and the law enforcement agency or security agency mutually deem appropriate.

§ 79-3605. Mental health training grant program; State Department of Education; duties; grant; application.

(1) The State Department of Education shall establish a mental health training grant program. The department shall award mental health training grants from any money available in the Mental Health Training Cash Fund. A grantee shall be a school district or an educational service unit.

(2) Each applicant for a mental health training grant shall describe in the application the training to be provided under the grant on:

(a) The skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to assist students in crisis to connect with appropriate local mental health services;

(b) Mental health resources, including, but not limited to, the location of local community mental health centers; and

(c) Action plans and protocols for referral to such resources.

(3) Each application for a mental health training grant shall also include in the application a description of how the training to be provided under the grant will prepare recipients of such training to:

(a) Safely de-escalate crisis situations;

(b) Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness, including, but not limited to, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major clinical depression, and anxiety disorders; and

(c) Timely refer a student to available mental health services in the early stages of the development of a mental disorder to avoid the need for subsequent behavioral health care and to enhance the effectiveness of mental health services.

(4) The State Board of Education may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this section, including, but not limited to, application procedures, selection procedures, and annual reporting procedures.

(5) Grants received pursuant to this section shall be considered special grant funds under section 79-1003.