House Bill 835

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-54, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE LIST OF RECOMMENDED CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND MEDIATION MATERIALS DEVELOPED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL BE DEVELOPED FROM EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION SUPPORTS; TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO INCORPORATE THESE MATERIALS INTO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES AND CODES OF CONDUCT; TO DELETE THE PROHIBITION ON USING MONIES FROM THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES GRANT FOR DEVELOPING THE LIST; TO DELETE THE REPEALER ON THIS SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-11-54, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-11-54. The State Board of Education * * * shall develop a list of recommended conflict resolution and mediation materials, models and curricula that are developed from evidence-based practices and positive behavioral intervention supports to address responsible decision making, the causes and effects of school violence and harassment, cultural diversity, and nonviolent methods for resolving conflict, including peer mediation, and shall make the list available to local school administrative units and school buildings before the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year. In addition, local school boards shall incorporate evidence-based practices and positive behavioral intervention supports into individual school district policies and Codes of Conduct. In developing this list, the board shall emphasize materials, models and curricula that currently are being used in Mississippi and that the board determines to be effective. The board shall include at least one (1) model that includes instruction and guidance for the voluntary implementation of peer mediation programs and one (1) model that provides instruction and guidance for teachers concerning the integration of conflict resolution and mediation lessons into the existing classroom curriculum.

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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.