§ 99 — Purple Star Campuses

[Text of section added by 2022, 154, Sec. 13. See also, Section 99 added by 2022, 198, Sec. 11, below.]

Section 99. (a) For the purposes of this section, ''military-connected student'' shall mean a student who is an unemancipated person whose parent or guardian is: (i) a current, reserve or former member of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, Army Nurse Corps, Navy Nurse Corps, United States Air Force, Air National Guard or Army National Guard; or (ii) a member of a military or reserve force under clause (i) who was killed in the line of duty.

(b) The department shall designate a school as a Purple Star Campus if the school applies and qualifies for the designation under this section.

(c) To qualify as a Purple Star Campus, a school shall:

(i) designate a staff member as a military liaison, whose duties shall include: (A) identifying military-connected students enrolled at the school; (B) serving as the point of contact between the school and military-connected students and their families; (C) determining appropriate school services available to military-connected students; and (D) assisting in coordinating school programs relevant to military-connected students;

(ii) maintain on the school internet website an easily accessible website that includes resources for military-connected students and their families, including information regarding: (A) school relocation, enrollment and registration, including the transferring of records; (B) academic planning, course sequences and advanced classes available at the school; and (C) counseling and other support services available for military-connected students enrolled at the school;

(iii) maintain a transition program led by students, where appropriate, that assists military-connected students in transitioning into the school;

(iv) offer professional development for staff members on issues related to military-connected students; and

(v) offer at least 1 of the following initiatives: (A) a resolution showing support for military-connected students and their families; (B) recognition of the Month of the Military Child or Military Family Month with relevant events hosted by the school; or (C) a partnership with a local military installation that provides opportunities for active-duty military members to volunteer at the school, speak at an assembly or host a field trip.

(d) To comply with subsection (c), a school may partner with the school district to provide: (i) an internet website required under subsection (c) if the school does not have an internet website; (ii) professional development required under said subsection (c); or (iii) an initiative required under subsection (c).

(e) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this section.

[Text of section added by 2022, 198, Sec. 11. See also, Section 99 added by 2022, 154, Sec. 13, above.]

Section 99. Notwithstanding section 53 of chapter 44 or any other general or special law to the contrary, a school district may establish a School Transportation Reimbursement Fund. Reimbursements made by the commonwealth pursuant to this chapter may be deposited into the fund and may carry forward for 1 fiscal year. Funds received by a school district shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city or town and held as a separate account and expended by the school committee for the purposes of school transportation without further appropriation.