BILL NUMBER: AB 739	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Bonnie Lowenthal and Brownley

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2011

   An act to add Section 51223.5 to the Education Code, relating to
pupil instruction.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 739, as introduced, Bonnie Lowenthal. Pupil instruction:
suicide prevention.
   Existing law establishes an adopted course of study for grades 7
to 12, inclusive. Existing law establishes the Curriculum Development
and Supplemental Materials Commission and requires the commission to
recommend to the State Board of Education the adoption of minimum
standards for courses of study in preschool, kindergarten,
elementary, and secondary schools.
   This bill would require the state board and the commission to
include suicide prevention instruction in the health education
framework for pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, during the next
revision of that framework.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 51223.5 is added to the Education Code, to
read:
   51223.5.  (a) During the next revision of the health education
framework, the state board and the Curriculum Development and
Supplemental Materials Commission shall include suicide prevention
instruction in that framework for pupils in grades 7 to 12,
inclusive.
   (b) As used in this section, "suicide prevention instruction"
includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
   (1) Awareness and knowledge of depression, depression symptoms,
self-destructive behaviors, and risk factors and warning signs of
suicide.
   (2) Ability to identify school and community resources for suicide
prevention.
   (3) Knowledge and skills about how to seek help for oneself or a
friend and how to overcome barriers to seeking help.
   (4) Importance of witnesses and bystanders reporting actual or
perceived signs of suicide risk factors or behaviors to teachers,
counselors, administrators, or other school staff.