Bill > S2467

Introduced Session

This bill requires suicide prevention training as a condition of licensure, and as an ongoing requirement for mental health practitioners in the State. The bill requires that applicants for licensure as a mental health practitioner must complete a minimum of four hours of suicide prevention training, and submit proof of completion to the appropriate State Board of Examiners or Committee. Following their licensure, mental health practitioners must complete a minimum of four hours of suicide prevention training every six years. The bill requires that mental health practitioners licensed to practice as of the effective date of the bill complete a minimum of four hours of suicide prevention training within one year following the effective date of this bill, and every six years thereafter, and that proof of completion be submitted to the appropriate State Board of Examiners or Committee. The bill defines "mental health practitioner" as a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, alcohol and drug counselor, professional counselor, associate counselor, rehabilitation counselor, clinical mental health counselor, psychologist, or psychoanalyst who is licensed or otherwise authorized to practice pursuant to Title 45 of the Revised Statutes. The bill defines "suicide prevention training" as a training program, provided online, in person, or through telephonic means, concerning the prevention, assessment, screening, treatment, and management of suicide in the clinical context that has been approved by the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill provides that the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs establish a list of approved suicide prevention training programs and a protocol by which providers of suicide prevention training may seek approval of their training programs by the division.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Anthony Bucco (R)*,  Tony Bucco (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 04/12/2018)