Some Tennessee lawmakers want school districts to focus more on preventing suicides.
A bill sponsored by Rep. Mary Littleton (R-Dickson) would require every employee at public school systems in Tennessee to go through two hours of suicide prevention training each year. That includes people who work outside of the classroom, she says.
“The bus drivers would be looking for bullies. And cafeteria workers — these are people that see the child, the student, every day,” Littleton says. “The intent is for them all to be aware and how to notice it.”
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for people in Tennessee between 15 and 24 years old, according to the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.
An early assessment of the bill said the new requirement shouldn’t cost the state more money, because school districts already have days set aside for teacher training. But that was before the bill was amended to include all staff members, including bus drivers and cafeteria workers. An updated fiscal note isn’t available yet.
The bill passed unanimously in a House education subcommittee Tuesday and will now move on to full committee. It also passed the Senate unanimously on Wednesday morning.
This story has been updated to reflect the Senate floor vote on Wednesday.
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