A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to require local boards of education, charter schools, REGIONAL SCHOOLS, INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS, LABORATORY SCHOOLS, AND THE RENEWAL SCHOOL SYSTEM to adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol, a mental health training program, and a policy against teen dating violence and abuse.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 115C‑47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(64)	To adopt a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program. – Each local board of education shall adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program for school personnel who work directly with students in grades kindergarten through 12, as required by G.S. 115C‑375.11."
SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 115C‑218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(g)	Suicide Risk Referral Protocol and Mental Health Training Program. – A charter school shall adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program in accordance with G.S. 115C‑375.11."
SECTION 1.(c)  G.S. 115C‑238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(14)	Suicide risk referral protocol and mental health training program. – The board of directors shall adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program in accordance with G.S. 115C‑375.11."
SECTION 1.(d)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(17)	Suicide risk referral protocol and mental health training program. – The chancellor shall adopt and ensure implementation of a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program in accordance with G.S. 115C‑375.11."
SECTION 1.(e)  Section 6(d)(2) of S.L. 2018‑32 is amended by adding a new sub‑subdivision to read:
"p.	(64) [To Adopt a Suicide Risk Referral Protocol and a Mental Health Training Program.]"
SECTION 1.(f)  The title of Article 25A of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"Article 25A.
"Special Medical Needs and Mental Health Needs of Students."
SECTION 1.(g)  Article 25A of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 115C‑375.11.  Suicide risk referral protocol and mental health training program required.
(a)	Each local board of education shall adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol for school personnel who work directly with students in grades kindergarten through 12. The protocol shall, at a minimum, do all of the following:
(1)	Inform school personnel of suicide risk referral procedures, including the provision of training.
(2)	Establish crisis teams.
(3)	Inform school personnel on how to identify and intervene in appropriate situations.
(b)	Each local board of education shall adopt and implement a mental health training program for school personnel who work directly with students in grades kindergarten through 12. The mental health training program adopted by a local board of education shall address the following topics:
(1)	Youth mental health.
(2)	Suicide prevention.
(3)	Substance abuse.
(4)	Sexual abuse prevention.
(5)	Sex trafficking prevention.
(c)	Local boards of education shall periodically review and update their adopted suicide risk referral protocols and mental health training programs, as necessary.
(d)	Nothing in this section shall be construed to impose an additional duty on any entity required to adopt a policy by G.S. 115C‑47(64), 115C‑218.75(g), 115C‑238.66(14), or 116‑239.8(b)(17), or its employees, to provide referrals, suicide prevention measures, or mental health services to students of the unit.
(e)	No entity required to adopt a policy by G.S. 115C‑47(64), 115C‑218.75(g), 115C‑238.66(14), or 116‑239.8(b)(17), or its members, employees, designees, agents, or volunteers, shall be liable in civil damages to any party for any loss or damage caused by any act or omission relating to the provision of, participation in, or implementation of any component of a suicide risk referral protocol or mental health training program required by this section, unless that act or omission amounts to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impose any specific duty of care or standard of care on an entity required to adopt a policy by G.S. 115C‑47(64), 115C‑218.75(g), 115C‑238.66(14), or 116‑239.8(b)(17)."
SECTION 1.(h)  This section is effective when it becomes law. Each entity required by Section 1.(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) to adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol and mental health training program shall do so by July 1, 2020. The suicide risk referral protocols and mental health training programs adopted by each entity shall meet the requirements developed by the Superintendent's Working Group on Health and Well Being pursuant to Section 5 of S.L. 2018‑32. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall ensure that a copy of these requirements is made available to each entity by October 15, 2019.
SECTION 2.(a)  G.S. 115C‑47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(65)	To Adopt a Policy Against Teen Dating Violence. – Each local board of education shall adopt and implement a dating violence and abuse policy. The policy shall do all of the following:
a.	Define dating violence and abuse.
b.	Prohibit dating violence and abuse by any student on school property, including during a school‑sponsored activity or during school‑sponsored transportation.
c.	Provide procedures for responding to such incidents of dating violence or abuse, including accommodations for students experiencing dating violence or abuse.
d.	Be implemented in a manner that is integrated with the discipline policies of the school."
SECTION 2.(b)  G.S. 115C‑81.30(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(14)	Teach about dating violence and abuse, as defined in the local board policy adopted under G.S. 115C‑47(65)."
SECTION 2.(c)  G.S. 115C‑218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(h)	Policy Against Teen Dating Violence. – A charter school shall adopt and implement a dating violence and abuse policy. The policy shall do all of the following:
(1)	Define dating violence and abuse.
(2)	Prohibit dating violence and abuse by any student on school property, including during a school‑sponsored activity or during school‑sponsored transportation.
(3)	Provide procedures for responding to such incidents of dating violence or abuse, including accommodations for students experiencing dating violence or abuse.
(4)	Be implemented in a manner that is integrated with the discipline policies of the school."
SECTION 2.(d)  G.S. 115C‑218.85(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(5)	The school shall teach about dating violence and abuse, as defined in the policy adopted under G.S. 115C‑218.75(h). If the school has a reproductive health and safety education program, instruction on dating violence and abuse shall be incorporated into the program."
SECTION 2.(e)  G.S. 115C‑238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(15)	Policy against teen dating violence. – The board of directors shall adopt and implement a dating violence and abuse policy. The policy shall do all of the following:
a.	Define dating violence and abuse.
b.	Prohibit dating violence and abuse by any student on school property, including during a school‑sponsored activity or during school‑sponsored transportation.
c.	Provide procedures for responding to such incidents of dating violence or abuse, including accommodations for students experiencing dating violence or abuse.
d.	Be implemented in a manner that is integrated with the discipline policies of the school."
SECTION 2.(f)  G.S. 115C‑238.66(1) is amended by adding a new sub‑subdivision to read:
"e.	The board of directors shall ensure that instruction on dating violence and abuse is provided, as defined in the policy adopted under G.S. 115C‑238.66(15). If the school has a reproductive health and safety education program, instruction on dating violence and abuse shall be incorporated into the program."
SECTION 2.(g)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(18)	Policy against teen dating violence. – The chancellor shall adopt and ensure implementation of a dating violence and abuse policy. The policy shall do all of the following:
a.	Define dating violence and abuse.
b.	Prohibit dating violence and abuse by any student on school property, including during a school‑sponsored activity or during school‑sponsored transportation.
c.	Provide procedures for responding to such incidents of dating violence or abuse, including accommodations for students experiencing dating violence or abuse.
d.	Be implemented in a manner that is integrated with the discipline policies of the school."
SECTION 2.(h)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b)(2) is amended by adding a new sub‑subdivision to read:
"d.	The board of directors shall ensure that instruction on dating violence and abuse is provided, as defined in the policy adopted under G.S. 115C‑239.8(b)(18). If the school has a reproductive health and safety education program, instruction on dating violence and abuse shall be incorporated into the program."
SECTION 2.(i)  Section 6(d)(2) of S.L. 2018‑32 is amended by adding a new sub‑subdivision to read:
"q.	(65) [To Adopt a Policy Against Teen Dating Violence.]"
SECTION 2.(j)  This section is effective when it becomes law. Each entity required by Section 2.(a), (c), (e), (g), and (i) to adopt and implement a policy against teen dating violence shall do so by July 1, 2020. Each entity required by Section 2.(b), (d), (f), and (h) to provide instruction on dating violence and abuse shall do so beginning with the 2020‑2021 school year.
SECTION 3.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.