BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF _________:  

Section 1. Definitions.   

As used in this Act:  

1.  “Military-connected student” is:  
   • (a) An incoming or a currently enrolled student who is a child or dependent of a current or former active or reserve component uniformed services member;  
   • (b) A child of a uniformed services member who died while on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained while on active duty;  
   • (c) A student who is a sibling of a uniformed services member;  
   • (d) A student who has enlisted in the uniformed services;   
   • (e) A Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet; or  
   • (f) A homeschool student resident in the district otherwise meeting the “military-connected student” definition.  
2. • (a) “Public school” means a state-supported school or open-enrollment public charter school serving students in prekindergarten or kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) in [State].  
   • (b) “Public school” includes without limitation:  
     • (1) Alternative learning environments;  
     • (2) The [State] School for ___________; and  
     • (3) The [State] School for _____________________.  
3. “Transition” means the:  
   • (a) Formal and physical process of transitioning from public school to public school; or  
   • (b) Period of time in which a student moves from a sending district to a receiving district;  
4. “Uniformed services” means the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Space Force, United States Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service, and the state and federal reserve components of each of these forces;  

Section 2. Purple Star School Program.  

1. Any public school may establish a Purple Star School Program conforming to subsection 2 a and b.  
2. Each public school with twenty (20) or more children of uniformed services families enrolled annually by [State Enrollment Confirmation Date] shall:  
   • (a) Adopt the Purple Star School Program developed by the State Council and approved by the [State Education Department]; and  
   • (b) Survey arriving and departing uniformed services families to assess the effectiveness of programs and services under this chapter as specified by the [State Education Department].  
3. The purpose of the Purple Star School Program shall be to:  
   • (a) Assist children of uniformed services families by addressing the educational, social, and emotional challenges the children of uniformed services families face during their transition to a new school; and  
   • (b) Keep children of uniformed services families on track to enroll and excel in post-secondary education, enter the workforce, and become life-ready.  
4. The State Council-developed Purple Star School Program required under subsection 2 of this section shall:  
   • (a) Require each public school to designate a military family education facilitator to:  
     • (1) Identify military-connected students who are enrolled in the public school and inform public school teachers of those students;  
     • (2) Serve as the Purple Star School Program point of contact for the public school; each child of a military family; and the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of, or person standing in loco parentis to a child of a military family; and  
     • (3) Assist in determining and coordinating public school services and programs for military-connected students;  
   • (b) Require a designated public school military family education facilitator, public school district military family education coordinator, and public school staff to complete State Council-recommended and [State Education Department]-approved initial and continuing education on identifying the needs and unique challenges faced by children of members of the uniformed services;  
   • (c) Require each public school district to include on its website a “Military Families” section that informs uniformed services families of:  
     • (1) The student enrollment application process;  
     • (2) Available education pathways;  
     • (3) Public school or public school district Purple Star School Programs;  
     • (4) Public school district military family education coordinator contact information; and  
     • (5) Public school military family education facilitator contact information;  
   • (d)
     • (1) Require each public school or public school district to establish a volunteer student-to-student peer ambassador program that shall be open to all enrolled students who want to contribute.  
     • (2)The volunteer student-to-student peer ambassador program required under subdivision 4 d (1) of this section shall:  
       • (A) Connect and welcome inbound students ahead of their transition to a public school;  
       • (B) Assist with the provision of new student orientation; and  
       • (C) Assist new students with establishing social connections at their new school;  
   • (e) Establish school and community events to honor and recognize members of the uniformed services and military-connected students;  
   • (f) Ensure that a public school or public school district appoints a volunteer uniformed services member, military spouse, or representative from a military installation or unit to serve on a school community and family engagement committee;  
   • (g) Ensure that a parent and family engagement plan required under [Parent and Family Engagement Plan Statute] for a public school district or public school addresses relevant military family issues and resources; and  
   • (h) Require public schools and public school districts to collaborate with military commands through the installation’s military school liaison or family readiness center to:    
     • (1) Encourage uniformed services families to self-identify their military status; and  
     • (2) Ensure the Purple Star School Program is serving the largest population of military-connected students.  
5. The Purple Star School Program required under subsection 2 of this section may authorize public schools and public school districts to expand their Purple Star School Program to include community-level initiatives, including without limitation:  
   • (a) Engaging community organizations, local businesses, and military installations to enhance resources and support for military-connected students and their families;  
   • (b) Organizing community events that raise awareness of military-connected students and their contributions; and  
   • (c) Establishing partnerships with regional stakeholders to enhance Purple Star School Program efforts while fulfilling all requirements for the Purple Star School Program established by the [State Education Department].  

Section 3. Governance.   

1. The State Council shall:  
   • (a) Develop and review biennially and amend as necessary the Purple Star School Program model;  
   • (b) When developing, reviewing, and amending the Purple Star School Program as required under subdivision a of this section, incorporate provisions prescribed by the State Council and other relevant, recognized authorities;  
   • (c) Use the Purple Star School Program’s application and renewal process along with interdistrict collaboration events to drive continuous improvement of the Purple Star School Program;  
   • (d) Define required and optional Purple Star School Program provisions established by Section 2 and performance standards;  
   • (e) Establish phase-in timing and training, if required, when adopting or amending Purple Star School Program provisions; and  
   • (f) Establish a recognition program for public schools, public school districts, and private schools that meet Purple Star School Program standards as defined and evaluated by the State Council.  
2. The [State Education Department] shall:   
   • (a) Provide relevant resources for the orientation and training of public school district military family education coordinators and public school military family education facilitators under this chapter;  
   • (b) Administer the Purple Star School Program;  
   • (c) Provide administrative and logistical support to the State Council to develop the program; and  
   • (d) Promulgate and incorporate program rules into the rules the [State Education Department] promulgates under this act.