school safety; cell phone bans

SB 1227 establishes a state-funded school safety program in Arizona to support safe learning environments. It specifically allows school districts and charter schools to apply for funding to implement policies limiting cell phone use in classrooms, alongside funding for school resource officers, counselors, and social workers. Schools must submit detailed proposals describing safety needs, implementation plans, and cost breakdowns for cell phone policies. Approved programs receive state funds for up to three years, with annual reporting on effectiveness and impact. The program is administered by the Arizona Department of Education, which reviews proposals using safety data and verifies school applications.