A. The State Department of Education and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in consultation with school district superintendents and school district boards of education, shall develop and make available to school districts information, training and resources to help school employees recognize and address the mental health needs of students. A local district board of education shall require a training program for teachers which shall emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing the mental health needs of students. The program shall be completed the first year a certified teacher is employed by a school district, and then once every third academic year.
B. The information made available to school districts shall include but not be limited to:
1. Information about the services provided by community-based organizations related to mental health, substance abuse and trauma;
2. Information about the impact trauma and adverse childhood experiences can have on a student's ability to learn;
3. The availability of mental health evaluation and treatment available by telemedicine; and
4. Information about evidence-based strategies for prevention of at-risk behaviors.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 286, § 1, eff. July 1, 2019. Amended by Laws 2021, c. 103, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.