HB 1623 Summary

• School boards may adopt policies on suicide awareness training and student drug abuse reporting

• Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services must develop and provide free suicide prevention curriculum to school districts, with course outlines published on district websites

• Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, districts may implement one of three suicide prevention options: district-developed programs, state-provided curriculum, or programs from a state-maintained list of evidence-based approaches

• School employees are immune from employment discipline and civil liability for calling 911, providing emergency aid, or communicating in good faith about drug abuse or safety threats to parents, guardians, or law enforcement

• School personnel must immediately notify parents or legal guardians if a student is determined to be at risk of suicide; no lawsuits allowed except for willful or wanton misconduct