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H 640

An Act Jason Flatt Law to prevent to prevent teen suicide

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ryan Fattman and 6 co-sponsors

Requires all MA public schools to implement a standardized suicide prevention policy and annual training for students (grades 6–12) and staff.

Hearing scheduled for 07/21/2025 from 11:00 AM-05:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
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Bill Summary · H 640

Comprehensive Summary: H.640 An Act Jason Flatt Law to prevent teen suicide

Overview

H.640, introduced February 27, 2025 and known as the Jason Flatt Law to prevent teen suicide, would strengthen student suicide prevention in Massachusetts public schools. The bill adds mandatory training for students and school personnel and requires every public school district to adopt a formal suicide prevention policy. A hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2025, in Gardner Auditorium.

Purpose and intent

  • To reduce teen suicide by ensuring early identification of mental health needs and providing clear, district-level procedures for prevention, intervention, and postvention.
  • To standardize training and policy across districts, with guidance developed by the state education department in collaboration with health and mental health agencies and stakeholders.

Key Provisions

1) Training requirements (Section 95, Chapter 71)
- Mandatory training for:
- All students starting in grade 6 through grade 12 in each academic year.
- All licensed public school personnel.
- Training may be delivered within existing in-service programs offered by the Department.
- The Department, with input from the Department of Public Health, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Developmental Services, and education/mental health stakeholders, shall develop a list of approved training materials.
- Approved materials/instruction must cover identifying appropriate mental health services both within school and in the broader community, and how to refer youth and families to those services.
- Training must be delivered by qualified suicide prevention instructors designated by the listed entities.
- Training materials are to be evaluated and updated at least every three years.

2) School district suicide prevention policy (Section 95, Chapter 71)
- Each public school district must adopt a policy on student suicide prevention addressing:
- Prevention, intervention, and postvention (counseling or social care after a student’s suicide or attempted suicide).
- Postvention includes regular check-ins with students who have made a suicide attempt or voiced ideation, with “regular” defined by a licensed mental health professional.
- The Department shall develop or adopt a model policy to assist districts, including:
- Parental notification procedures.
- Engagement with school support personnel.
- Clear language distinguishing in-school issues from out-of-school issues.

Implementation and Timeline

  • Training, policy adoption, and model policy development are to be administered under the Department’s guidance, with updates to materials every three years.
  • The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education (status shows via Education) and has a scheduled hearing on July 21, 2025.

Affected Parties and Stakeholders

  • Public school districts and schools; all students in grades 6–12; licensed school personnel.
  • State agencies: Department of Education, Department of Public Health, Department of Mental Health, Department of Developmental Services.
  • Parents/guardians and the broader community through listed mental health supports and referral pathways.
  • Suicide prevention stakeholders and instructors who would deliver training.

Legislative Status and Sponsors

  • House Docket No. 3773 (House No. 640) introduced by Representatives Marsi and Frost, with a list of cosponsors including Kearney, Garry, Vaughn, Xiarhos, Fattman.
  • Related bill reference: HD 3773 (replaces the bill in some records).
  • Current status: Hearing scheduled for 07/21/2025; referred to the Education committee; Senate concurrence noted in related actions.

Potential Impact

  • Standardized, proactive approach to teen mental health and suicide prevention across districts.
  • Increased access to trained personnel and clear referral pathways.
  • More consistent postvention support following student suicides or attempts.
  • Administrative or training costs for districts to implement required programs and policies.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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