SB 5389 - DIGEST

Requires the University of Washington, in collaboration with project ECHO (extension for community healthcare outcomes), to design a training curriculum and training delivery system to train middle, junior high, and high school staff to identify students who are at risk for substance abuse, violence, or youth suicide.

Requires project ECHO to coordinate with medical schools, hospitals, clinics, and independent providers to develop a directory of psychiatrists licensed to practice in the state who have access to telemedicine technology and are able to provide psychiatric teleconsultations to students who are determined to be at risk.

Requires a certificated or classified employee, school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker, who identifies a student who may be at risk for substance abuse, violence, or youth suicide, to screen the student to determine if he or she is at risk.

Prohibits a school district from scheduling a psychiatry teleconsultation for a student without first receiving authorization from the student.

Requires individuals who are certified by the professional educator standards board as a school nurse, school social worker, school psychologist, or school counselor to complete a training program on identifying and referring students who are at risk for substance abuse, violence, and youth suicide, including the use of teleconsultation.

Requires school districts, beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, to require certificated and classified employees at each school to receive training based on the curriculum developed for identifying students who are at risk for substance abuse, violence, or youth suicide.