BILL NUMBER: AB 739INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Bonnie Lowenthal and Brownley FEBRUARY 17, 2011 An act to add Section 51223.5 to the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 739, as introduced, Bonnie Lowenthal. Pupil instruction: suicide prevention. Existing law establishes an adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12, inclusive. Existing law establishes the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission and requires the commission to recommend to the State Board of Education the adoption of minimum standards for courses of study in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools. This bill would require the state board and the commission to include suicide prevention instruction in the health education framework for pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, during the next revision of that framework. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 51223.5 is added to the Education Code, to read: 51223.5. (a) During the next revision of the health education framework, the state board and the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission shall include suicide prevention instruction in that framework for pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive. (b) As used in this section, "suicide prevention instruction" includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: (1) Awareness and knowledge of depression, depression symptoms, self-destructive behaviors, and risk factors and warning signs of suicide. (2) Ability to identify school and community resources for suicide prevention. (3) Knowledge and skills about how to seek help for oneself or a friend and how to overcome barriers to seeking help. (4) Importance of witnesses and bystanders reporting actual or perceived signs of suicide risk factors or behaviors to teachers, counselors, administrators, or other school staff.