SB296 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Suicide, training of public school educators to provide mental health first aid to students

Summary

SB296 would require Alabama public school educators to get mental health first aid training to identify and help students at risk of suicide or other mental health issues.

What This Bill Does

It directs the Department of Mental Health, with input from the Department of Education, to create a mental health first aid training program for public school educators by the start of the 2018-2019 school year. The program must be delivered by a Department of Mental Health employee or approved trainers and cover how to recognize warning signs, assess risk, provide initial help, and connect students to professional care or supports. Public schools would be required to implement up to 12 hours of training, and the Department of Education must annually report to the Legislature the list of educators who completed training. The bill also authorizes funding to contract for trainers and establishes an effective date.

Who It Affects

• Public school educators: must complete mental health first aid training and learn how to detect and respond to students in mental health crisis or at risk.
• Students in public schools who may have mental or emotional disorders or be at risk of suicide (and their families): may receive earlier identification, help, and referrals, with parents notified as appropriate.

Key Provisions

• Create a mental health first aid training program for public school educators, to be developed by the Department of Mental Health in consultation with the Department of Education and implemented by the 2018-2019 school year.
• Training to be delivered by a Department of Mental Health employee or by approved trainers and to provide educators with skills to identify and assist students in mental health crises until professional care is available.
• Program content includes: a five-step crisis response strategy; instruction on risk factors and warning signs; information on common mental/emotional disorders in children; identification of disorders; intervention and de-escalation techniques; notice/referral to parents; experiential activities; and evidence-based treatment/self-help options.
• The Department of Education must annually provide the Legislature with a list of public school educators who completed the training by February 1 each year, and must promulgate rules requiring up to 12 hours of training for educators.
• The Legislature must appropriate funds to contract with the Department of Mental Health or approved trainers to implement and provide the training.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Mental Health