Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §262 is enacted to read:

§262.__Conflict resolution education

The commissioner shall establish a grant program to encourage the development, improvement or continuation of conflict resolution education within public elementary and secondary schools.__A school administrative unit may apply to the commissioner for funds to establish, improve or continue a conflict resolution education program in one or more of the schools within the school administrative unit.__The program may be directed at students and teachers, administrators and other staff and may involve the development of peer mediation programs.__ The school administrative unit must match any grant funds awarded.

Sec. 2. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.

1999-00 2000-01

EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF

All Other $100,000 $100,000

Provides for grants to school administrative units for conflict resolution education programs.

SUMMARY

This bill creates a grant program within the Department of Education to encourage conflict resolution education programs in public elementary and secondary schools. The programs may include peer mediation programs and may be directed at students and teachers, administrators and other staff.