Urging a study of the taxes on retirement funds for World War II veterans.
Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) to lead a statewide mental health initiative to provide support and guidance for schools regarding mental and behavioral health. Requires the office to: (1) select one or more universal screening tools for recommended use in identifying students who are at risk or in need of intervention related to mental and behavioral health disorders; (2) provide guidance and information to schools in the recommended administration of the universal screening tools and establishing support teams; and (3) post the guidance and information on the office's Internet web site. Establishes the mental health advisory committee to advise the office on certain matters regarding the statewide mental health initiative. Requires the office to recommend and distribute information regarding a preferred mental health response model.
Defines, for purposes of the twenty-first century scholars program, "qualified early college student". Provides that a qualified early college student may apply to the commission for higher education for a twenty-first century scholarship to pay for postsecondary tuition costs associated with up to 30 postsecondary credit hours for dual credit or concurrent enrollment courses. Makes technical corrections.
Establishes the school bus safety equipment grant fund (fund), administered by the department of education, to provide grants to school corporations seeking to purchase or equip school buses and special purpose buses with 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts or, if recommended by the state school bus committee, other proven safety equipment. Provides that a governing body may apply for a grant from the fund in an amount equal to 50% of the cost of purchasing or equipping a school bus or special purpose bus with 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts or other safety equipment. Requires a governing body seeking to purchase a school bus or special purpose bus to request information concerning the cost of purchasing a school bus or special purpose bus equipped with 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts. Requires the governing body to hold a public hearing on the costs and benefits of purchasing a school bus or special purpose bus with 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts before voting on whether to purchase a school bus or special purpose bus equipped with 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts. Allows a school corporation to use a portion of a grant from the safe schools fund or the secured school fund toward purchase or equipping school buses and special purpose buses with safety equipment. Requires each occupant of a school bus or special purpose bus that has a 3-point lap and shoulder safety belt to have the 3-point lap and shoulder safety belt properly fastened about the occupant's body at all times when the bus is in motion. Provides for an exception to the laws concerning other types of passenger restraint systems.
Provides that a person commits battery on a public safety official if the offense is committed against a current or former public safety official: (1) while the official is engaged in the official's official duty; or (2) in retaliation for the official having engaged in the official's official duty. (Under current law, a person commits the offense only if the official is acting in the person's official duty.) Exempts a person who retires from judicial office after at least 20 years of service or because of a disability from the payment of the fee for a license to carry a handgun. Permits a former judicial officer to possess and use a handgun in the same locations as a judicial officer, and requires the supreme court to annually issue an identification card to a former judicial officer.
