SB 197

Bill Subjects

Higher Education, Colleges And Universities Mental Health, Local Agencies And Programs Schools, Health And Safety Issues Schools, Pupils (Other Than Disciplinary Matters)

Abstract

Requires the governing body of a school corporation or chief administrative officer of a nonpublic school system to authorize the absence and excuse of a student due to the student's mental or behavioral health concerns. Limits the number of excused absences for mental or behavioral health concerns, without documentation, to three instructional days in a school year. Allows a student to be excused for more than three instructional days if the student provides certain documentation. Requires that a school selected to participate in the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behaviors Survey or a successor survey participate in the survey. Provides that the commission for higher education shall, before January 1, 2024, work with the statewide suicide prevention coordinator to develop a suicide prevention training for students at each state educational institution (institution). Requires each student at an institution, after July 1, 2024, to participate in the training in the student's first year at the institution. Requires each institution to collect and report certain information concerning suicide prevention to the statewide suicide prevention coordinator. Establishes a mental health and suicide prevention in higher education task force (task force). Provides that the task force shall create a statewide suicide prevention resource guide for institutions. Makes conforming changes.