An Act to authorize the designation of Purple Star schools.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added:

13-53E-3. Purple Star school--Designation--Rules.

The secretary of education may designate a school as a Purple Star school if:

(1) The school designates a staff member to serve as a military liaison and directs the liaison to:

(a) Identify military-connected students enrolled in the school; and

(b) Serve as a point of contact between the school, community-based support services, and military-connected students and their families;

(2) The school provides on its website:

(a) The contact information for the military liaison;

(b) Information regarding relocation, enrollment, and record transfers between schools for military-connected students;

(c) Information regarding academic planning for military-connected students, including course sequences and the availability of advanced placement courses;

(d) Information regarding counseling, mentoring, volunteering, support services, and other programs for military-connected students; and

(e) Information regarding the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children, as set forth in chapter 13-53E;

(3) The school implements, with the assistance of other students, a program to assist military-connected students in transitioning to the school;

(4) The school provides staff development opportunities related to issues and challenges faced by military-connected students; and

(5) The school:

(a) Recognizes and celebrates the month of the military child; or

(b) Provides opportunities for military personnel, including veterans, to volunteer at the school, speak at an assembly, provide virtual presentations, or host a field trip.

The department of education shall promulgate rules, in accordance with chapter 1-26, to establish the manner in which a school may apply for designation as a purple star school and establish the process, including the statewide rubric, by which the application is to be reviewed and eligibility for the designation determined.

For purposes of this section, a military-connected student is a student who is enrolled in an elementary or high school or receiving early childhood services from a school or school district, and either has or had a parent on active duty, on reserve duty, or in the National Guard.