House Engrossed Senate Bill

State of Arizona
Senate
Fifty-fourth Legislature
First Regular Session
2019

SENATE BILL 1468
AN ACT
AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 1, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, BY
ADDING SECTION 15-119; AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 13, ARTICLE 3, ARIZONA
REVISED STATUTES, BY ADDING SECTION 15-1656; RELATING TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

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 S.B. 1468

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Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 15, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-119, to read:
15-119. Suicide prevention training; approved materials;
posting; immunity; spending classification
A. BEGINNING IN THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
CHARTER SCHOOLS SHALL PROVIDE TRAINING IN SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
FOR SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS AND OTHER SCHOOL
PERSONNEL WHO WORK WITH PUPILS IN GRADES SIX THROUGH TWELVE. EACH PERSON
WHO IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN TRAINING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL COMPLETE
THAT TRAINING AT LEAST ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS. THE TRAINING MUST INCLUDE:
1. TRAINING IN SUICIDE PREVENTION.
2. TRAINING TO IDENTIFY THE WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR IN
ADOLESCENTS AND TEENS.
3. APPROPRIATE INTERVENTION AND REFERRAL TECHNIQUES.
B. THE TRAINING PRESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION A OF THIS SECTION:
1. MUST USE EVIDENCE-BASED TRAINING MATERIALS.
2. MAY BE PROVIDED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EXISTING IN-SERVICE
TRAINING PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL OR AS
PART OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.
C. THE ARIZONA HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION
SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING THAT COMPLIES WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION AND POST THIS TRAINING INFORMATION ON THE
ADMINISTRATION'S WEBSITE. ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2020, THE ADMINISTRATION
SHALL IDENTIFY OR DEVELOP AND POST ON THE ADMINISTRATION'S WEBSITE A LIST
OF APPROVED MATERIALS THAT SCHOOLS MAY USE TO PROVIDE THE TRAINING
PRESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION A OF THIS SECTION. THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL
ANNUALLY UPDATE THESE APPROVED MATERIALS.
D. SCHOOL PERSONNEL, ENTITIES OR ANY OTHER PERSONS ARE NOT CIVILLY
LIABLE FOR ANY ACTIONS TAKEN IN GOOD FAITH PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION EXCEPT
IN CASES OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILFUL MISCONDUCT OR INTENTIONAL WRONGDOING.
E. THE AUDITOR GENERAL SHALL CLASSIFY ANY COSTS INCURRED BY SCHOOL
DISTRICTS IN IMPLEMENTING THIS SECTION AS CLASSROOM SPENDING FOR THE
PURPOSES OF THE ANNUAL REPORT PREPARED PURSUANT TO SECTION 41-1279.03,
SUBSECTION A, PARAGRAPH 9.
Sec. 2. Title 15, chapter 13, article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes,
is amended by adding section 15-1656, to read:
15-1656. Suicide prevention training
EACH TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM IN THIS STATE SHALL DEVELOP OR ADOPT
EVIDENCED-BASED INSTRUCTION ON SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION AND
PROVIDE THAT INSTRUCTION TO ALL TEACHER CANDIDATES IN THE TEACHER TRAINING
PROGRAMS. THE INSTRUCTION SHALL INCLUDE:

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 S.B. 1468

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1. TRAINING IN SUICIDE PREVENTION.
2. TRAINING TO IDENTIFY THE WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR IN
ADOLESCENTS AND TEENS.
3. APPROPRIATE INTERVENTION AND REFERRAL TECHNIQUES.
Sec. 3. Short title
This act may be cited as the "Mitch Warnock Act".

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