Sec. 6. (a) For purposes of this section, "teacher" includes the following:

(1) A superintendent who holds a license under IC 20-28-5.

(2) A principal.

(3) A teacher.

(4) A librarian.

(5) A school counselor.

(6) A school psychologist.

(7) A school nurse.

(8) A school social worker.

(b) Beginning after June 30, 2018, each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school:

(1) shall require all teachers; and

(2) may require any other appropriate school employees;

who are employed at schools that provide instruction to students in any combination of grade 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 to attend or participate in at least two (2) hours of research based inservice youth suicide awareness and prevention training every three (3) school years. The training required under this subsection must be during the teacher's or school employee's contracted day or at a time chosen by the teacher or employee.

(c) Subject to subsection (e), the format of training required under this section may include:

(1) an in-person presentation;

(2) an electronic or technology based medium, including self-review modules available on an online system;

(3) an individual program of study of designated materials; or

(4) any other method approved by the governing body that is consistent with current professional development standards.

(d) The inservice training required under this section shall count toward the requirements for professional development required by the governing body.

(e) The research based youth suicide awareness and prevention training program required under subsection (b) must be:

(1) demonstrated to be an effective or promising program; and

(2) recommended by the Indiana Suicide Prevention Network Advisory Council.

(f) A school or school corporation may leverage any:

(1) existing or new state and federal grant funds; or

(2) free or reduced cost evidence based youth suicide awareness and prevention training provided by any state agency or qualified statewide or local organization;

to cover the costs of the training required under this section.

As added by P.L.254-2017, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.56-2018, SEC.3.