Nationwide, schools, communities, parents and students recognize the continuing need to make schools a safe place, an environment where children can learn without fear for their safety. In the past few years, the available research on violence prevention has increased, providing legislators with important information about effective violence prevention programs and practices. Nearly every state in the nation has enacted laws in an effort to improve school safety. School administrators need to be aware of new and existing laws related to school functioning and safety. This manual is designed to provide assistance to schools and the agencies with which they collaborate, and to serve as a guide to help schools with safe school planning while drawing attention to the pertinent laws that affect the ability to plan effectively. Topics covered include: (1) Safe School Planning; (2) Information Sharing; (3) School Discipline Policies; (4) Searches and Seizures; and (5) Accountability and Liability. Some of the information included is specific to the state of Colorado, but the manual also provides a nationwide perspective. Four appendixes contain: (A) Forms and Checklists; (B) Select Juvenile Record Sharing Enactments; (3) Select School Safety Enactments; and (4) References. [Support for this publication was also provided by the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice.]