FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 6431
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 103 L 14
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning assistance for schools in implementing youth suicide prevention activities.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Kohl-Welles, Liias, Kline, Rolfes, Parlette, Frockt, Pedersen and Conway).
Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education
House Committee on Education
House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
Background: The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K-12 public education in Washington State. OSPI works with the state’s 295 school districts.
Currently, OSPI is required by law to work with state agency and community partners to develop pilot projects to assist schools in implementing youth suicide prevention activities.
In the 2013 legislative session, ESHB 1336, an act relating to increasing the capacity of school districts to recognize and respond to troubled youth, passed and became law. This law increases the capacity for school districts to recognize and respond to youth in need, including emotional and behavioral distress in students and indicators of possible substance abuse, violence, and suicide, through additional training, more comprehensive planning, and emphasis on partnerships between schools and communities.
Summary: OSPI must work with state agency and community partners to assist schools in implementing youth suicide prevention activities, which may include the following:
training for school employees, parents, community members, and students in recognizing and responding to the signs of suicide;
partnering with local coalitions of community members interested in preventing youth suicide; and
responding to communities determined to be in crisis after a suicide or attempted suicide to prevent further instances of suicide.
OSPI must prioritize funding appropriated for implementing youth suicide prevention activities to communities identified as the highest risk.
OSPI, working with state and community partners, must prioritize funding appropriated for implementing such youth suicide prevention activities, to the following schools and communities:
schools identified by the Department of Health as situated in a high-risk area or in a community with high-risk populations;
tribal communities; and
communities with a high percentage of students who speak English as a second language.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 49 | 0 | |
House | 90 | 6 | (House amended) |
Senate | 48 | 0 | (Senate concurred) |
Effective: | June 12, 2014 |