Bill > HB540

This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to further provide for youth suicide awareness and prevention, as well as violence prevention and social inclusion. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring school entities serving grades 6-12 to provide students with at least 1 hour or 1 standard class period of evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training annually, starting within 2 years of the development of a list of approved trainings by the Department of Education. 2. Requiring school entities serving grades 6-12 to provide students with at least 1 hour or 1 standard class period of evidence-based youth violence prevention training annually, starting within 2 years of the development of a list of approved trainings by the Department of Education. 3. Requiring school entities serving K-12 to provide students with at least 1 hour or 1 standard class period of evidence-based social inclusion training annually, starting within 2 years of the development of a list of approved trainings by the Department of Education. 4. Requiring school entities serving K-12 to designate a student-led violence prevention club with at least one adult advisor, tasked with sustaining awareness activities and fostering student leadership development. The bill also directs the Department of Education to seek federal or state funding to offset any costs associated with implementing these requirements.