PRINTER'S NO. 1363
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1140
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY BRIGGS, DRISCOLL, SCHWEYER, HAGGERTY, MURT,
FREEMAN, READSHAW, D. COSTA, ROZZI, O'BRIEN, VITALI, DEAN,
CALTAGIRONE, NEILSON, WARREN, KINSEY, HILL-EVANS, DeLUCA AND
SIMS, APRIL 12, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 12, 2017
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," providing for suicide prevention at
institutions of higher education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XX-H
SUICIDE PREVENTION AT INSTITUTIONS
OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Section 2001-H. Scope of article.
This article relates to college and university suicide
prevention.
Section 2002-H. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
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shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Independent institution of higher education." As defined in
section 302 of the act of November 29, 2004 (P.L.1383, No.180),
known as the Uniform Crime Reporting Act.
"Institution of higher education." An independent
institution of higher education, a community college, a State-
related institution or a member institution of the State System
of Higher Education.
"Private licensed school." As defined in section 2 of the
act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the
Private Licensed Schools Act.
"Student." A person who is enrolled on a full-time basis at
an institution of higher education or private licensed school.
"Suicide prevention program." A suicide prevention program
under this article.
Section 2003-H. Suicide prevention program.
(a) Establishment.--Each institution of higher education and
private licensed school shall establish a suicide prevention
program.
(b) Professionals.--An institution of higher education or
private licensed school shall hire or contract with mental
health professionals who have training and experience with
suicide prevention. The professionals shall work with faculty
and staff on ways to recognize the warning signs and risk
factors associated with student suicide.
(c) Access to professionals.--A professional under
subsection (b) shall be made available to students at the
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institution of higher education or private licensed school 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
(d) Notice to students.--An institution of higher education
or private licensed school shall transmit to each student the
contact information of the professionals under subsection (b) no
later than 15 days after the beginning of each semester or after
any change in professionals or contact information.
Section 2004-H. Duties of department.
The department shall:
(1) Ensure compliance with this article.
(2) Solicit the cooperation of other agencies,
institutions and organizations, both public and private, in
carrying out the provisions of this article.
(3) Otherwise administer the provisions of this article.
Section 2005-H. Report.
An institution of higher education and a private licensed
school shall report to the department on the implementation of
the suicide prevention program by the institution or school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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