(1) The general assembly hereby finds that:

(a) A safe and healthy learning environment for all students in Colorado is an important priority for the state;

(b) Research into evidence-based practices continues to demonstrate that academic achievement improves as the level of safety and security in a school increases;

(c) Studies of recent school attacks have established that school violence may be prevented with appropriate information sharing;

(d) Suicide, which remains one of the leading causes of death for Colorado's youth, may also be prevented with appropriate intervention;

(e) Both the physical and psychological well-being of students and school personnel is critically important; and

(f) Improving student engagement, including reducing dropout rates and truancy levels, is an important factor for ensuring that schools are safe and successful.

(2) The general assembly further finds that:

(a) The most appropriate way to prevent and prepare for acts of violence and other emergencies that may occur on school campuses is to foster a cooperative effort by schools, school resource officers, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, behavioral health experts, parents, and community members to identify, gather, and apply the necessary resources; and

(b) Emergency response and crisis management measures should be implemented in all communities within the state to protect students and school personnel.

(3) Now, therefore, the general assembly declares that:

(a) Safe schools are a matter of statewide concern;

(b) All schools have common needs and goals to ensure a safe environment;

(c) Resources are needed to fully develop safety plans and practices in Colorado's schools, colleges, and universities; and

(d) A school safety resource center dedicated to providing evidence-based practices and expertise to all schools is a cost-effective means to improve school safety.