H.R. 40 Summary

• Department of Education must convene a working group to create a model statewide school policy on student suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention for grades K-12 by September 1, 2021.

• Policy must address mental health and substance use, childhood trauma, bullying, exposure to suicide, previous suicide attempts, crisis response procedures, parent communication protocols, and survivor support services.

• Policy must address needs of high-risk groups including youth with disabilities, youth experiencing homelessness or in foster care, and LGBTQ+ youth.

• Department of Education must post the completed model policy on its website by January 1, 2022, along with supporting resources and implementation guidance for schools.

• Working group must review the policy's impact every five years and update as necessary; copies of the resolution must be sent to the Board of Education Chairperson, Superintendent of Education, and Executive Director of the State Public Charter School Commission.