This bill mandates that school resource officers and law enforcement personnel assigned to public school campuses obtain certification in Youth Mental Health First Aid. It amends existing training requirements for these personnel, specifying that they must complete a forty-hour basic school resource officer training program, which includes topics such as adolescent behavior and development, and obtain certification in Youth Mental Health First Aid within eighteen months of their assignment or employment. Additionally, the certification must be maintained and renewed every four years, provided the officer remains with the school district. The bill also outlines ongoing training requirements, including a sixteen-hour refresher course every five years and twelve hours of public school-specific continuing education annually, which can include the Youth Mental Health First Aid training.

Furthermore, the bill requires school counselors to receive Youth Mental Health First Aid training by September 1, 2025, and every four years thereafter. This training aims to equip counselors with the knowledge to recognize risk factors and warning signs of mental health issues in adolescents, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and support for students in crisis. The amendments to the existing law reflect a commitment to enhancing mental health support within public schools by ensuring that both school resource officers and counselors are adequately trained to address the mental health needs of students.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1030 V2 - 1-16-2025 03:37 PM: 6-10-128(d), 6-18-2004(d)
Old version HB1030 Original - 1-13-2025 10:43 AM: 6-10-128(d), 6-18-2004(d)
HB 1030: 6-10-128(d), 6-18-2004(d)