Missouri HB 3305: Modifies provisions governing mental health efforts in public schools

Bill Text

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 3305
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MATTHIESEN.
7210H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal sections 170.047, 170.048, and 170.307, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof four
new sections relating to mental health efforts in public schools.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Sections 170.047, 170.048, and 170.307, RSMo, are repealed and four
2 new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 170.047, 170.048, 170.307, and
3 630.099, to read as follows:
170.047. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Jason Flatt/Avery
2 Reine Cantor Act".
3 2. (1) Beginning in the 2017-18 school year and continuing until the end of the 2022-
4 23 school year, any licensed educator may annually complete up to two hours of training or
5 professional development in youth suicide awareness and prevention as part of the
6 professional development hours required for state board of education certification.
7 (2) Beginning in the 2023-24 school year and continuing in subsequent school years,
8 the practicing teacher assistance programs established under section 168.400 may offer and
9 include at least two hours of in-service training provided by each local school district for all
10 practicing teachers in such district regarding suicide prevention. Each school year, all
11 teachers, principals, and licensed educators in each district may attend such training or
12 complete training on suicide prevention through self-review of suicide prevention materials.
13 Attendance at the training shall count as two contact hours of professional development under
14 section 168.021 and shall count as two hours of any other such training required under this
15 section.
EXPLANATION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law. Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.

16 3. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop guidelines
17 suitable for training or professional development in youth suicide awareness and prevention.
18 The department may develop materials that may be used for the training described under
19 subsection 2 of this section or may offer districts materials developed by a third party that
20 districts may use for the training.
21 4. For the 2027-28 school year and all subsequent school years, suicide
22 prevention training described in subdivision (2) of subsection 2 of this section and
23 guidelines and materials developed or used under subsection 3 of this section shall
24 require:
25 (1) Training and guidance on using the Columbia Protocol, also known as the
26 Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), that supports suicide risk
27 assessment; and
28 (2) Training on the virtual tool developed and implemented under section
29 630.099 to assist teachers in knowing how and when to use the virtual tool to assist
30 students seeking mental health information, help, and support.
31 5. For purposes of this section, the term "licensed educator" shall refer to any teacher
32 with a certificate of license to teach issued by the state board of education or any other
33 educator or administrator required to maintain a professional license issued by the state board
34 of education.
35 [5.] 6. The department of elementary and secondary education may promulgate rules
36 and regulations to implement this section.
37 [6.] 7. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is
38 created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies
39 with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028.
40 This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the
41 general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to
42 disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of
43 rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2016, shall be invalid
44 and void.
170.048. 1. By July 1, 2018, each district shall adopt a policy for youth suicide
2 awareness and prevention, including plans for how the district will provide for the training
3 and education of its district employees.
4 2. Each district's policy shall address and include, but not be limited to, the following:
5 (1) Strategies that can help identify students who are at possible risk of suicide;
6 (2) Strategies and protocols for helping students at possible risk of suicide; and
7 (3) Protocols for responding to a suicide death.
HB 3305 2

8 3. By July 1, 2017, the department of elementary and secondary education shall
9 develop a model policy that districts may adopt. When developing the model policy, the
10 department shall cooperate, consult with, and seek input from organizations that have
11 ex