§ 16-21.7-2. Training.
(a) The department of education shall adopt rules and regulations supporting suicide awareness and prevention training each year for public school personnel and students.
(b)(1) Training shall be required of all personnel hired or contracted by the school district, including, but not limited to: teachers, administration, custodians, lunch personnel, substitutes, nurses, coaches and coaching staff, even if volunteers. The training shall occur every year.
(2) Training shall be required of all students starting in grade six (6) and through grade twelve (12) each academic year.
(c) Training may be provided within the framework of existing in-service training programs offered by the department of education or as part of professional development activities.
(d)(1) The department of education shall, in consultation with the department of health, department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, education and healthcare stakeholders, mental healthcare stakeholders, and suicide prevention experts, develop a list of approved training materials to fulfill the requirements of this chapter.
(2) This list shall be fully evaluated and updated at least every three (3) years.
(3) Approved training materials and instruction shall include training on how to identify appropriate mental health services both within the school and the larger community, and when and how to refer youth and their families to those services. These materials and instruction are to be given by qualified suicide prevention instructors as determined by the entities and groups listed in subsection (d)(1) of this section.
History of Section.P.L. 2021, ch. 131, § 1, effective July 2, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 132, § 1, effective July 2, 2021.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws