AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

In Texas suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10 to 24 claiming one young life a day. Furthermore, in Texas one out of every six youth surveyed responded that they had “seriously considered suicide” and one out of 10 had attempted suicide in the past 12 months.  It is well known that educators often notice “red flags” in students.  S.B. 1169 seeks to provide educators with the necessary training to recognize those red flags and alert the appropriate person. Twelve other states have enacted legislation similar to S.B. 1169 to end this silent epidemic.

 

S.B. 1169 amends current law by requiring educators to complete two hours of training on an annual basis in suicide awareness and prevention using a best practice-based program as recommended by the Department of State Health Services.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1169 amends current law relating to suicide prevention training for educators in public schools.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 21.451(d), Education Code, as follows:

 

(d) Requires that the staff development on an annual basis include at least two hours of in-service training in suicide prevention, using a best practice-based program recommended by the Department of State Health Services in coordination with the Texas Education Agency under Section 161.325 (Mental Health Promotion and Intervention, Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention, and Suicide Prevention), Health and Safety Code, and to make nonsubstantive changes.

 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.