House Bill 1354

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "MILITARY STAR SCHOOLS ACT"; TO REQUIRE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH THE MILITARY STAR SCHOOL PROGRAM TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOLS TO CREATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING TRANSITION SUPPORTS TO MILITARY-CONNECTED FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE RECENTLY MOVED INTO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Military Star Schools Act."

SECTION 2. (1) As used in this section, the term "military student" means a student who is:

(a) Enrolled in a public school district, public charter school, school of innovation or any school or educational institution; and

(b) A dependent of a current member of the United States military serving on active duty in, or a former member of, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force or Coast Guard; a reserve component of any branch of the United States military; or any component of the Mississippi National Guard.

(2) (a) The State Department of Education shall establish the Military Star School program. At a minimum, the program must require a participating school to:

(i) Designate a staff member as a military ambassador;

(ii) Maintain a web page on the school's website which includes resources for military students and their families;

(iii) Maintain a peer-to-peer transition program that assists military students in transitioning into the school; and

(iv) Offer professional development training opportunities for staff members on issues relating to military students.

(b) The department may establish additional criteria to identify schools that demonstrate a commitment to or provide critical transition supports for military-connected families, such as hosting an annual military recognition event, partnering with a school liaison officer from a military installation, supporting projects that connect the school with the military community, and providing outreach for military parents and their children.

(3) A school may partner with a school district to procure digital, professional development or other assistance necessary for the school to meet the criteria specified in subsection (2).

(4) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this section.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.