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MA H672

MA H672
Relative to suicide prevention in schools


summary

Introduced
02/27/2025
In Committee
02/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

194th General Court

Bill Summary

By Representative Philips of Sharon, a petition of Edward R. Philips that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education be authorized to offer two hours of evidence based in-service suicide awareness and prevention training once every other year to certain employees. Education.

AI Summary

This bill requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to mandate that school health care providers and educators receive two hours of evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training every other year. The training will be integrated into existing in-service training programs or professional development activities. For staff members hired during a year when training is not scheduled, they must be provided with suicide prevention materials within 30 days of employment. The department will develop a list of approved training materials in consultation with the Departments of Public Health and Mental Health, and suicide prevention experts. These materials must be evidence-based and demonstrated to be effective or promising. Additionally, the bill requires that by January 1, 2027, every school district, county education office, and charter school must have at least one mental health professional available for every 400 students during school hours. The goal of this legislation is to enhance suicide prevention efforts and mental health support in educational settings by ensuring educators are trained to recognize and respond to potential mental health risks among students.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Accompanied a new draft, see H4563 (on 10/02/2025)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H672
BillText https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H672.pdf
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