New law encourages suicide prevention training for teachers
HELENA, Mont. (AP) – A new Montana law will attempt to curb the extremely high youth suicide rate by recommending awareness and prevention training for school employees.
Sponsored by Democratic Rep. Edie McCafferty of Butte, the measure requires the Office of Public Instruction to develop suicide awareness and prevention training materials for school district employees. Employees will be encouraged to complete two hours of training every five years.
The law is a watered-down version of the Jason Flatt Act, which requires educators in Tennessee and other states to complete two hours of training each year in order to be able to be licensed to teach.
Bill co-sponsor Rep. Carolyn Pease-Lopez of Billings says lawmakers get nervous about such strict requirements. She called the bill a good start.
