BILL REQ. #:  S-4398.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/07/14.   

     AN ACT Relating to assistance for schools in implementing youth suicide prevention activities; amending RCW 28A.300.288; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that according to the department of health, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Washington youth between the ages of ten and twenty-four. Suicide rates among Washington's youth remain higher than the national average. An increasing body of research shows an association between adverse childhood experiences such as trauma, violence, or abuse, and decreased student learning and achievement. Underserved youth populations in Washington who are not receiving access to state services continue to remain at risk for suicide.

Sec. 2   RCW 28A.300.288 and 2011 c 185 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall work with state agency and community partners to ((develop pilot projects to)) assist schools in implementing youth suicide prevention activities, which may include the following:
     (a) Training for school employees, parents, community members, and students in recognizing and responding to the signs of suicide;
     (b) Partnering with local coalitions of community members interested in preventing youth suicide; and
     (c) Responding to communities determined to be in crisis after a suicide or attempted suicide to prevent further instances of suicide.
     (2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction, working with state and community partners, shall prioritize funding appropriated for subsection (1) of this section to the following schools and communities:     
     (a) Schools identified by the department of health as situated in a high-risk area or in a community with high-risk populations;
     (b) Tribal communities; and
     (c) Communities with a high percentage of students who speak English as a second language.