H.R. 2577 — PLAN for School Safety Act of 2025

This section establishes the School Safety Development Center Program in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The program authorizes the DHS Director to award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to establish, improve, or maintain statewide or intrastate Regional School Safety Development Centers that provide customized consulting services to schools for developing, improving, or implementing individualized school safety and mental health plans. Eligible entities must apply with evidence of expertise in school safety, violence prevention, suicide prevention, student mental health, and school security. DHS gives preference to applicants with ties to rural, Tribal, or low-resourced communities or minority-serving institutions. Award funds support (1) developing and disseminating communications materials on evidence-based school safety and mental health practices; (2) conducting individualized consultations to analyze or develop customized plans; and (3) assisting implementation, including identifying federal or state funding, aiding grant applications, and providing training to school staff and families. The federal share may not exceed 95% of costs. DHS must provide training and technical assistance to awardees (in consultation with the Secretary of Education and a Youth Advisory Council), hire personnel with school mental health and administration expertise, and detail (on a reimbursable basis) a Department of Education employee. The Director must establish the Youth Advisory Council within one year of enactment, including parents, experts, mental health professionals, and youth with school violence experience. Not later than two years after enactment (and annually thereafter), DHS must report to specified congressional committees on awardees, recommended school safety actions, and program effectiveness assessments.