BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2186

By: Cook

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties cite a report by the Centers for Disease Control in noting that suicide is a leading cause of preventable death for middle-school and high-school aged youth in the United States and that, of the teens who have attempted suicide, an overwhelming majority gave clear warning signs. The parties assert that ensuring state educators remain up-to-date on best practices for suicide prevention and remain attentive to warning signs will save lives. The parties conclude that prevention requires education, making it important that educators are sufficiently trained in suicide prevention. H.B. 2186 seeks to provide for periodic training for certain school personnel.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2186 amends the Health and Safety Code to change the frequency with which an employee of a school district that provides training relating to mental health promotion and intervention, substance abuse prevention and intervention, and suicide prevention must participate in the training from at least one time to at least once annually. The bill removes a requirement that such a district maintain records that include the name of each district employee who participated in the training. The bill's provisions apply beginning with the 2015–2016 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.