Kansas House moves to require suicide prevention training in schools

A bill that would establish suicide prevention training for Kansas school employees passed the Kansas House on Tuesday with overwhelming support.

SB 323, which passed 124-1, requires local school boards to adopt suicide awareness and prevention training for all school staff, which supporters say will enable teachers to identify teens at risk for suicide and get them help. Teachers would not face any legal liability for failing to intervene in these cases.

School districts could receive grants from the Jason Flatt Foundation, a national organization promoting the legislation around the country, to pay for the cost of the training.

The only House member to vote against the bill was Rep. Virgil Peck, R-Tyro.

A version of the bill already passed the Senate, but the House added language concerning the use of emergency restraints in schools.

Legislation meant to curb the use in restraints passed the Legislature last year, setting up a process where parents could request an investigation if they thought restraints were improperly used with their child. Last year’s bill empowered local school boards to take corrective action if deemed necessary.

SB 323 expands on that and enables local school board decisions to be reviewed by the Board of Education.

These additions will require a second look by the Senate before the legislation can head to the governor’s desk.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Kansas House moves to require suicide prevention training in schools."