TITLE: Relating to staff development in suicide prevention for public school educators.

SUMMARY: Relating to staff development in suicide prevention for public school educators.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to staff development in suicide prevention for public school educators. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 21.451(d), (d-1), and (d-2), Education Code, are amended to read as follows: (d) The staff development: (1) may include training in: (A) technology; (B) conflict resolution; (C) discipline strategies, including classroom management, district discipline policies, and the student code of conduct adopted under Section 37.001 and Chapter 37; and (D) preventing, identifying, responding to, and reporting incidents of bullying; (2) subject to Subsection (e) and to Section 21.3541 and rules adopted under that section, must include training that is evidence-based [based on scientifically based research],as defined by Section 8002(6), Every Student Succeeds Act [9101, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001] (20 U.S.C. Section 7801), and that: (A) relates to instruction of students with disabilities; and (B) is designed for educators who work primarily outside the area of special education; and (3) may [must] include suicide prevention training that may [must] be provided: (A) on an annual basis, as part of a new employee orientation, to all new school district and open-enrollment charter school educators; and (B) to existing school district and open-enrollment charter school educators on a schedule adopted by the agency by rule. (d-1) The suicide prevention training under [required by] Subsection (d)(3) may [must] use a best practice-based program recommended by the Department of State Health Services in coordination with the agency under Section 161.325, Health and Safety Code. (d-2) The suicide prevention training under [required by] Subsection (d)(3) may be provided [satisfied] through independent review of suicide prevention training material that: (1) complies with the guidelines developed by the agency; and (2) is offered online. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.