Vermont's Suicide Prevention Law - ACT 114
AN ACT RELATING TO TEACHING ABOUT SIGNS OF AND RESPONSES TO DEPRESSION AND RISK OF SUICIDE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BILL AS INTRODUCED |
2005-2006 |
H.630
Introduced by Representatives Donahue of Northfield, Potter of Clarendon and Rusten of Halifax
Subject: Education; health education; depression; suicide risk
Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to include teaching about signs of and responses to depression and risk of suicide to the definition of health education which must be taught in public schools.
AN ACT RELATING TO TEACHING ABOUT SIGNS OF AND RESPONSES TO DEPRESSION AND RISK OF SUICIDE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 131 is amended to read:
§ 131. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this subchapter:
"Comprehensive health education" means a systematic and extensive elementary and secondary educational program designed to provide a variety of learning experiences based upon knowledge of the human organism as it functions within its environment. The term includes, but is not limited to, a study of:
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(5) Family health and mental health, including instruction which promotes the development of responsible personal behavior involving decision making about sexual activity including abstinence; skills which strengthen existing family ties involving communication, cooperation, and interaction between parents and students; and instruction to aid in the establishment of strong family life in the future, thereby contributing to the enrichment of the community; and which promotes an understanding of depression and the signs of suicide risk for a family member or fellow student that includes how to respond appropriately and seek help and provides an awareness of the available school and community resources such as the local suicide crisis hotline;
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