Bill Summary for S 642 (2025-2026)

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Summary date: 

Mar 31 2025

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
Senate Bill 642 (Public) Filed Tuesday, March 25, 2025
AN ACT TO REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO RECEIVE EVIDENCE-BASED TRAINING ON IDENTIFICATION OF WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE, VIOLENCE, AND SOCIAL ISOLATION.
Intro. by Lowe, Hanig.

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Bill summary

Enacts new GS 115C-376.7, referred to as the Suicide, Safety, and Violence Education (SAVE) Students Act. Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, to keep a list of approved evidence-based training programs, including at least one that is free to a school, to be posted on DPI’s website for: (1) suicide awareness and prevention and violence prevention and (2) social inclusion. Sets out required content of training courses needed in order to qualify as a training program on these topics. Requires students in grades 6-12 to receive two hours or two standard class periods, whichever is shorter, of training each school year from one of the approved programs. Requires an hour each on suicide awareness and prevention and violence prevention, and on social inclusion. Allows a student to be excused from the training upon written request from a parent or guardian. Requires employees who have significant interaction with students as part of their routine duties to receive one hour of training each school year from an approved program on suicide awareness and prevention and violence prevention. Allows student training to count toward health education and employee training to count toward specified raining hours. Allows the creation of a student-led club focused on these issues in school with students in grades 6-12; sets out requirements for these clubs.

Amends GS 115-47, requiring local boards of education to adopt a school-based mental health plan, including a mental health training program and suicide risk referral protocol in accordance with GS 115C-376.5 and new GS 115C-376.7. Amends the following to require the already required mental health plans also be in accordance with new GS 115C-376.7: GS 115C-150.12C (applicable to regional schools); GS 115C-218.75 (applicable to charter schools), GS 115C-238.66 (applicable to regional schools); and GS 116-239.8 (applicable to laboratory schools).

Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.