This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a new program for Regional School Safety Development Centers. These centers will provide customized consulting services to schools, helping them develop, improve, or implement individualized school safety and student mental health plans based on evidence-based best practices. The Director of Homeland Security will award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities, prioritizing those with existing relationships in rural, Tribal, or low-resourced communities.

Funds allocated to these centers must be used for various activities, including developing and disseminating communications materials on school safety and mental health, conducting individualized consultations to analyze existing policies, and assisting with plan implementation. This assistance includes identifying federal or state funding opportunities and providing training and technical support to school staff and families. A 95 percent federal cost-share is established for these activities.

The Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, will provide training and technical assistance to award recipients, supported by subject matter experts. A Youth Advisory Council, comprising parents, experts, and youth who have experienced school violence, will be established to offer joint advice on the program's implementation. The bill authorizes $25,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for this program.

Notably, the legislation explicitly prohibits the use of funds for consulting or training in firearms or for hiring school personnel or contractors for the schools being advised, and requires annual reports to Congress on the program's implementation and effectiveness in assisting schools to avert violence, including self-harm.