CA SB1318

Department of Education must update its model suicide prevention policy by July 1, 2026 to include crisis intervention protocols for pupil suicide crises, prioritizing school mental health professionals and limiting law enforcement involvement to situations where a pupil's life is in imminent danger.

Local educational agencies must update their pupil suicide prevention policies by July 1, 2026 to incorporate crisis intervention protocols from the department's model policy during their next regularly scheduled policy review.

Crisis intervention protocols must address deployment of staff and external agencies, prioritize mental health professionals over law enforcement, and include an assessment process for law enforcement to determine whether parental notification would endanger the pupil.

Local educational agencies are encouraged to consider identifying funding to hire a school mental health professional when reviewing their suicide prevention policies if they do not currently employ or contract with one.

Defines "pupil suicide crisis" to include pupils exhibiting suicidal thoughts or behaviors, those determined at-risk after assessment, or those attempting to physically harm themselves or others.