2017 -- S 0300

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LC001521

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION

     

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Goodwin, Ruggerio, Miller, and Gee

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-81 of the General Laws entitled "Right To A Safe School In

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Higher Education" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-81-1.1. Suicide prevention and mental health services.

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     (a) Each public institution of postsecondary education shall establish a plan for

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addressing the mental health needs of its students in a timely fashion that may include written

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memorandum of understanding with local community service providers or other mental health

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providers. Sole reliance on off-campus mental health services is strongly discouraged.

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     (b) Each public institution of postsecondary education shall develop and implement

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policies that advise students, faculty, and staff, including residence hall staff, of the proper

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procedures for identifying and addressing the needs of a student exhibiting suicidal tendencies or

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behavior, and provide training, where appropriate.

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     (c) The plan and policies along with the implementation timetable in subsections (a) and

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(b) of this section shall be provided to the president of the senate, speaker of the house of

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representatives, and the council on postsecondary education by August l, 2017.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION

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     This act would have each public institution of postsecondary education establish a plan

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for addressing the mental health needs of its students. Each institution shall develop policies

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aimed at identifying a student exhibiting suicidal behavior or tendencies.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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