Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 161.508 - Criteria for rating grant applications to be developed by committee - membership of committee - staff services - compensation - duties - guidelines and procedures to be developed - department to administer and monitor - personnel costs - administrative costs1. Criteria for rating the grant applications of cooperating pairs of clusters of law enforcement agencies and school districts to receive drug-free school program funding shall be developed by the state drug-free school advisory committee.2. The state drug-free school advisory committee shall be composed of one police chief, one sheriff, one district attorney, one attorney primarily engaged in criminal defense, one representative of parent groups, one representative of the state department of public safety, a school peace officer, a representative of community-based prevention of drug and alcohol use programs, one member from the attorney general's office, four members from the department of elementary and secondary education, one drug and alcohol prevention specialist representing the department of elementary and secondary education, and three school-site personnel, all of whom are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Staff services to the committee shall be provided by the department of elementary and secondary education. Committee members shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses involved in the conduct of committee business. The committee shall review applications for grant awards and shall recommend approval for those applications which are deemed appropriate and are consistent with the guidelines and administrative procedures established pursuant to this section and sections 161.500 to 161.508.3. Each state drug-free school advisory committee member shall be personally present to cast a vote or be counted toward a quorum. An appointed member of the committee unable to attend any meeting may designate a representative to attend such meetings on his behalf. Such a representative shall be accorded full privilege to address the committee on any matter under consideration but shall not have the right to vote on any motions entertained by the committee.4. The state drug-free school advisory committee shall develop specific guidelines and administrative procedures for the drug-free school program. The program developed by the state drug-free school advisory committee may be utilized by the local school districts or such districts may develop programs based on the unique needs and resources of such districts.5. Administration of the overall program and the evaluation or* monitoring of all grants made under sections 161.500 to 161.508 shall be performed by the department.6. The department shall, to the extent possible, coordinate the administration of the drug-free school program with those of other state and federal agencies.7. Funds disbursed under sections 161.500 to 161.508 shall not be used for the acquisition of equipment.8. Funds disbursed under sections 161.500 to 161.508 shall not be used to purchase information on drugs or alcohol.9. In the interest of maximizing the use of funds for program support and implementation, local law enforcement agencies and school districts receiving funds under sections 161.500 to 161.508 are expressly discouraged from using drug-free school program funds for personnel costs. Where it can be demonstrated that personnel costs are essential to the success of the program and that sufficient law enforcement and school personnel are not available to carry out the program, exceptions to this section may be requested through the department.10. No more than ten percent of the total amount of funds disbursed under this section shall be used for administrative costs.