Bill Text: NJ A1637 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council to prepare report regarding suicide prevention instruction in public schools.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-14 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee [A1637 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A1637-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
Assemblyman RAJ MUKHERJI
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblyman ROBERT J. KARABINCHAK
District 18 (Middlesex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle
SYNOPSIS
Requires NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council to prepare report regarding suicide prevention instruction in public schools.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act requiring New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council to prepare a report regarding suicide prevention instruction in public schools.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2003, c.214 (C.30:9A-25), shall prepare a report regarding suicide prevention instruction in public schools.
b. The report shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) identifying the suicide prevention instruction currently provided to public school teaching staff members and students pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of P.L.2005, c.310, s.2 (C.18A:6-112 and C.18A:6-113);
(2) reviewing the effectiveness and sufficiency of instruction in suicide prevention currently provided to public school teaching staff members and students;
(3) identifying any methods public schools may use to identify students who may be at risk for suicide or self-injury;
(4) identifying evidence-based and best practice programs in public schools for the prevention of youth suicide and self-injury, including a survey of programs being implemented in surrounding states;
(5) identifying opportunities to enhance access to mental health treatment in public schools; and
(6) findings and recommendations, including legislative and regulatory proposals.
c. The report prepared pursuant to this section shall be transmitted to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), no later than 12 months after the effective date of this act.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council to prepare a report regarding suicide prevention instruction in public schools. The report is required to include the following: (1) identifying the suicide prevention instruction already provided to public school teaching staff members and students; (2) reviewing the effectiveness and sufficiency of instruction in suicide prevention currently provided to public school teaching staff members and students; (3) identifying any methods public schools may use to identify students who may be at risk for suicide or self-injury; (4) identifying evidence-based and best practice programs in public schools for the prevention of youth suicide and self-injury, including a survey of programs being implemented in surrounding states; (5) identifying opportunities to enhance access to mental health treatment in public schools; and (6) findings and recommendations, including legislative and regulatory proposals, to improve suicide prevention instruction. The council is required to submit the report to the Governor and Legislature no later than 12 months after the effective date of the act.
Schools can be a key setting for youth suicide prevention. Teachers, mental health providers, and all other school personnel who interact with students can play an important role in keeping them safe. Currently, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council is required to provide instruction in suicide prevention to public school teaching staff. The report required by this bill will inform the Governor and Legislature of the effectiveness of the instruction in suicide prevention and whether the instruction is being provided uniformly and consistently in all public schools.
