NC H434

Local boards of education, charter schools, regional schools, innovative schools, laboratory schools, and the Renewal School System must adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol and mental health training program for school personnel working with grades K-12 by July 1, 2020.

Suicide risk referral protocols must include procedures for suicide risk referrals, establish crisis teams, and inform personnel on identifying and intervening in appropriate situations.

Mental health training programs must address youth mental health, suicide prevention, substance abuse, sexual abuse prevention, and sex trafficking prevention.

All covered school entities must adopt and implement a dating violence and abuse policy by July 1, 2020, defining such behavior, prohibiting it on school property and during school-sponsored activities, and providing response procedures with accommodations for affected students.

Schools must provide instruction on dating violence and abuse beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, incorporating the topic into reproductive health and safety education programs where they exist.

Schools and their employees are immune from civil liability for implementing these protocols and policies except in cases of gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing.