This bill amends and reenacts section 15.1-07-34 of the North Dakota Century Code to enhance training requirements for teachers, administrators, and ancillary staff regarding youth behavioral health and child abuse and neglect. It mandates that school districts provide a minimum of eight hours of professional development every two years on these topics, with a focus on various categories such as trauma, social and emotional learning, and suicide prevention. Additionally, each school must designate a behavioral health resource coordinator, and the superintendent of public instruction is tasked with disseminating training materials and ensuring that the training qualifies for continuing education credits.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new requirement for public and nonpublic school teachers, administrators, librarians, and counselors to complete a mandated reporter training program for suspected child abuse or neglect before initial licensure. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for developing an online training module to assist in fulfilling this requirement. The bill also repeals section 15.1-19-29 of the North Dakota Century Code, which previously addressed training for mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 15.1-07-34, 15.1-19-29
Adopted by the House Human Services Committee: 15.1-07-34, 15.1-19-29
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 15.1-07-34, 15.1-19-29