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SENATE FLOOR VERSION
February 21, 2023
SENATE BILL NO. 175 By: Floyd
An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2021,
Section 24-100.7, which relates to s uicide awareness
and drug abuse policies; naming act Evan ’s Law;
providing short title; directing certain training to
be provided at minimum freque ncy; updating statutory
language; providing an effective date; and d eclaring
an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 24 -100.7, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 24-100.7. A. This act shall be known and may be c ited
as “Evan’s Law”.
B. The board of education of each school district in this state
shall adopt a policy regarding sui cide awareness and training,
requiring staff training , and the reporting of student drug abuse.
B. C. The board of education of each s chool district in this
state shall provide district-wide training to all staff on at least
a biennial basis addressing su icide awareness and prevention. The
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services shall make
available to school districts curriculum for staff which addresses
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suicide awareness and prevention, without cost to the school
districts. The course outline for the curriculum shall be made
available to the public online through the school district website.
Beginning with the 2021 -2022 school year, every school distric t
shall:
1. Provide a suicide prevention training program whic h includes
as a core element evidence-based approaches;
2. Provide the curriculum made available by the Department of
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Ser vices; or
3. Provide a suicide preve ntion training program that is
selected by the school district from a list maintaine d by the
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to school
district staff that addresses suicide awareness and prevent ion. The
training program may be com bined with any other training provided by
the school district a ddressing bullying pr evention.
C. D. Beginning with the 2022 -2023 school year, the board of
education of each school district may provide training to addre ss
suicide awareness and prevention t o students in grades seven through
twelve.
D. E. Teachers, counselors, principals, administrators, and
other school personnel shall be immune from employment discipline
and any civil liability for:
1. Calling the 911 emergency telephone number, law enfor cement,
or the Department of Human Services if they believe a student p oses
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a threat to themselves or others or if a student has committed or
been the victim of a violent act or threat of a violent act;
2. Providing referral, emergency medical care , or other
assistance offered in good faith to a student or other youth; or
3. Communicating information in good faith concerning drug or
alcohol abuse or a potential safety threat by or to any student to
the parents or legal guardians of the student, law enforc ement
officers, or health care providers.
E. F. No person shall have a caus e of action for any loss or
damage caused by any act or omission resulting from the
implementation of this section or resulting from any traini ng, or
lack thereof, required by this section, unless the loss or damage
was caused by willful or wanton miscondu ct.
F. G. The training required pursuant to this section, or the
lack thereof, shall not be construed to impose any specific duty of
care.
G. H. The board of education of each sc hool district may enter
into agreements with designated Youth Services Agencies youth
services agencies for the provision of intervention and prevention
services.
H. I. Teachers, counselors, principals, administrators , or
other school personnel, upon dete rmining that a student is at risk
of attempting suicide, shall notify the parents or legal guardians
of the student immediately upon determining that such risk exists.
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SECTION 2. This act shall become e ffective July 1, 2023.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof thi s act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
February 21, 2023 - DO PASS