Senate Bill No. 2038 Summary

• Requires school districts to provide minimum 8 hours of professional development every two years to teachers, administrators, and ancillary staff on youth mental/behavioral health, with content designated from categories including trauma, social-emotional learning, suicide prevention, bullying, and evidence-based intervention strategies.

• Establishes a Task Force on Children's Behavioral Health composed of representatives from public instruction, human services, health, corrections, Indian affairs, and protection/advocacy agencies to assess gaps in behavioral health services and meet quarterly.

• Extends emergency mental health examination timelines from 24 hours to 72 hours when an individual is admitted with serious physical conditions requiring prompt treatment.

• Requires the Task Force to provide semi-annual reports to the governor and legislative management and submit findings and recommendations by July 1, 2018.

• Repeals sections 15.1-19-19 and 15.1-19-24 relating to previous professional development training requirements on bullying and youth suicide prevention.