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Maricopa USD moves to comply with new laws: Jake's Law, directory rules, cell-phone and mandatory-reporting policy updates approved
Summary
Following public hearings and presentations, the board approved policy revisions to implement Jake's Law (Children's Behavioral Health Services Fund), update directory information procedures, tighten student device policies, and change mandatory reporting procedures for suspected child abuse.
The Maricopa Unified School District governing board on July 9 approved a set of policy revisions intended to bring district policies into compliance with recent state laws, including steps tied to Jake's Law and changes to directory, device and mandatory-reporting procedures.
Miss Pastore explained that Jake's Law (passed by the Arizona Legislature in 2020) and more recent statutory changes require districts to adopt specific policies before making school-based behavioral health referrals. Pastore said Jake's Law created the Children's Behavioral Health Services Fund, an $8,000,000 state allocation to cover behavioral health services for uninsured or underinsured students referred through schools. She said required policy elements include an annual parent opt-in process, a parent survey after services, a list of participating providers on the district website and annual reporting of survey results to the access entity; the board was told it will return July 23 for further review and possible adoption of policy 5411.
Separately, Pastore reviewed revisions driven by a law signed 04/18/2025 that takes effect statewide in September. Those suggested changes clarify directory information items (a 17-item list referenced in the presentation), add language to the student handbook and website, and formalize current practice to ensure full compliance. Board members asked whether parents already registered need to take any additional opt-in steps before September; Pastore responded no, and said the district has been asking parents about opting out during online registration and will add additional communication channels.
On electronic devices, Pastore outlined updated procedures aligning K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 expectations, permitted instructional exceptions, and narrow medical or IEP exceptions. She said administrators support the changes and will include handbook links and principal communications to inform families.
Finally, Pastore summarized changes to mandatory reporting procedures under a law already in effect: district staff and board members must now report suspected child abuse directly to law enforcement and the Arizona Department of Child Safety; reporting only to a school resource officer no longer fulfills the obligation. The board voted to approve the set of policy revisions during the meeting, with motions moved and seconded and aye votes recorded in roll call.
