House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition:

Amends the long and short titles.

Deletes the provisions specifying the termination date of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) pilot program for providing health care services to veterans in Cumberland County. Deletes the provision directing DHHS to conduct an evaluation of the pilot program. Deletes the provision appropriating $400,000 for 2017-18 and $200,000 for 2018-19 for the pilot program.

Directs DHHS to report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services (Committee) on its planning activities for the pilot program by March 1, 2018.

Amends GS 115C-5, which defines terms for GS Chapter 115C (Elementary and Secondary Education), to definepublic school unit.

Enacts new GS 115C-375.10 (Youth suicide awareness and prevention training and risk referral protocol for school personnel). Directs the State Board of Education in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, to develop a youth suicide awareness and prevention training program and a model risk referral protocol to provide to school personnel who work directly with students in grades 6-12. Requires the training to consist of at least two hours of evidence-informed instruction to increase awareness of suicide, identification of risk factors and signs, and information for suicide prevention resources and support. Directs that the model risk referral protocol provide guidelines on identification of at-risk students, suicide prevention procedures, and referral sources. Directs the training program and model risk referral protocol be periodically reviewed and updated as necessary.

Directs each public school unit to provide the training program and model risk referral protocol, or a locally developed plan that meets the requirements of this statute, to school personnel who work directly with students in grades 6-12 at no cost to the employee. Directs that school employees who work directly with students in grades 6-12 shall receive the training within 12 months of employment and annually thereafter while employed with that public school unit. Authorizes several methods of administering the training.

Authorizes a public school unit to develop local plans that include, at minimum, (1) conveying information on State and national data on suicide rates, methods, and at-risk populations; (2) myths and attitudes about suicide; (3) warning signs and symptoms; (4) identification of at-risk students and steps for referral to support services; (5) protective factors for suicide prevention; and (6) safe messaging to children. Also requires that a local plan shall include at least (1) a plan to include specialized training for specified student support personnel; (2) a safety plan for the school in the event of identification of an at-risk student and suicide or suicide attempt by a student enrolled in the school; (3) designation of a school employee as the school suicide prevention responder; (4) a plan for communication with at-risk students' parents or legal guardians; and (5) a plan for post-intervention for at-risk students, including reentry into the classroom.

Directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to periodically randomly audit public school units to ensure compliance with the training and prevention requirements of this statute. Authorizes DPI to audit a public school unit upon reasonable belief that the public school unit is not in compliance. Directs DPI to report on the results of its audits each year by December 15 to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committees on Health and Human Services and Education.

Does not impose an obligation or responsibility on public school units to provide referral, treatment, follow-up, or other services related to identification of students at risk of suicide and suicide prevention procedures beyond what may be required by other State or federal law.

Prevents civil liability for public school unit boards and their members, employees, designees, agents, and volunteers for acts or omissions of acts relating to the training program or protocol required by this statute unless those acts or omissions amount to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing.

Amends GS 115C-218.75 to subject charter schools to the requirements of new GS 115C-375.10.

Amends GS 115C-238.66 to subject regional schools to the requirements of new GS 115C-375.10.

Amends GS 116-239.8 to subject lab schools to the requirements of new GS 115C-375.10, and to provide that a lab school is a public school unit for the purposes of that statute.

Changes the effective date of the act from July 1, 2017, to when the act becomes law and all amendments in this bill to GS Chapter 115C and GS Chapter 116 apply beginning with the 2018-19 school year.