86R13766 GCB-F
By: Allison H.B. No. 3411
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to suicide prevention in public school curriculum and
certain educational programs concerning suicide prevention and
substance abuse prevention.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 161.325(a-1), Health and Safety Code, as
amended by Chapter 714 (H.B. 4056) and Chapter 522 (S.B. 179), Acts
of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, is reenacted and
amended to read as follows:
(a-1) The list must include programs and practices in the
following areas:
(1) early mental health prevention and intervention;
(2) [mental health promotion;
[(3)] substance abuse prevention and intervention;
(3) [(4) substance abuse intervention;
[(5)] suicide prevention, intervention, and
postvention;
(4) [(6)] grief-informed and trauma-informed
practices;
(5) [(7)] building skills related to managing
emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and
responsible decision-making;
(6) [(8)] positive behavior interventions and
supports and positive youth development; and
(7) [(9)] safe, [and] supportive, and positive school
climate.
SECTION 2. Section 161.325, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (a-4) and amending Subsections (b) and
(d) to read as follows:
(a-4) In this section, "postvention" includes activities
that promote healing necessary to reduce the risk of suicide by a
person affected by the suicide of another.
(b) The suicide prevention programs on the list must include
components that provide for training counselors, teachers, nurses,
administrators, and other staff, as well as law enforcement
officers and social workers who regularly interact with students,
to:
(1) recognize students at risk of committing suicide,
including students who are or may be the victims of or who engage in
bullying;
(2) recognize students displaying early warning signs
and a possible need for early mental health or substance abuse
intervention, which warning signs may include declining academic
performance, depression, anxiety, isolation, unexplained changes
in sleep or eating habits, and destructive behavior toward self and
others; [and]
(3) intervene effectively with students described by
Subdivision (1) or (2) by providing notice and referral to a parent
or guardian so appropriate action, such as seeking mental health or
substance abuse services, may be taken by a parent or guardian; and
(4) assist students in returning to school following
treatment of a mental health concern or suicide attempt.
(d) A school district shall [may] develop practices and
procedures concerning each area listed in Subsection (a-1),
including mental health promotion and intervention, substance
abuse prevention and intervention, and suicide prevention, that:
(1) include a procedure for providing notice of a
recommendation for early mental health or substance abuse
intervention regarding a student to a parent or guardian of the
student within a reasonable amount of time after the identification
of early warning signs as described by Subsection (b)(2);
(2) include a procedure for providing notice of a
student identified as at risk of committing suicide to a parent or
guardian of the student within a reasonable amount of time after the
identification of early warning signs as described by Subsection
(b)(2);
(3) establish that the district may develop a
reporting mechanism and may designate at least one person to act as
a liaison officer in the district for the purposes of identifying
students in need of early mental health or substance abuse
intervention or suicide prevention; [and]
(4) set out available counseling alternatives for a
parent or guardian to consider when their child is identified as
possibly being in need of early mental health or substance abuse
intervention or suicide prevention; and
(5) include procedures:
(A) to support the return of a student to school
following hospitalization or residential treatment for a mental
health condition or substance abuse; and
(B) for suicide prevention, intervention, and
postvention.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.