WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 4563

An Act relative to suicide prevention in schools

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge and 5 co-sponsors

Requires school staff and licensed educators to complete at least 2 hours of evidence-based suicide prevention training every other year.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4563

Summary of H.4563: An Act relative to suicide prevention in schools

Overview

H.4563, introduced October 2, 2025, aims to strengthen suicide prevention in Massachusetts schools by requiring certain school personnel to receive regular, evidence-based training. The bill was reported favorably by the House Committee on Education and referred to the Committee on House Ways and Means. It adds a new Section 98 to Chapter 71 of the General Laws.

Purpose and intent

  • To establish a mandatory, ongoing standard for suicide awareness and prevention training for school staff.
  • To ensure school health care providers and individuals who hold or apply for an educator’s license in the Commonwealth participate in recognized, evidence-based training on a regular basis.
  • To promote early identification and intervention for students at risk of suicide through trained staff and consistent materials.

Key provisions

Training requirement

  • The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) must adopt rules requiring:
    • School health care providers and any holder of, or applicant for, an educator’s license to receive at least 2 hours of evidence-based in-service suicide awareness and prevention training once every other year.
    • This training must be delivered within existing in-service training programs or as part of required professional development activities.

Training materials for new hires

  • Staff subject to the training who are initially hired during a school year in which the training is not required must be provided with suicide prevention and identification materials for review by the local district within 30 days of hire.

Development and approval of training materials

  • DESE, in consultation with:
    • Department of Public Health (DPH)
    • Department of Mental Health (DMH)
    • Suicide prevention experts
  • Must develop a list of approved training materials that:
    • Are evidence-based
    • Have demonstrated effectiveness or promise as programs

Affected parties

  • School employees who are health care providers in schools
  • Any holder of or applicant for an educator’s license in Massachusetts
  • Local school districts responsible for hiring and professional development
  • DESE, in partnership with DPH, DMH, and suicide prevention experts for materials approval

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Reported favorably by the House Committee on Education and referred to the Committee on House Ways and Means.
  • Legislative history notes: New drafts referenced (H672 and H699) in conjunction with the committee report.
  • Effective date: The bill enactment would depend on subsequent rulemaking by DESE; the text does not specify a precise effective date.

Potential impact

  • Increased training requirements for educators and school health personnel, potentially affecting professional development planning and budgets.
  • Standardized, evidence-based suicide prevention training across schools, with quality assurance through an approved materials list.
  • Enhanced prevention and identification capabilities in schools, supported by collaboration among DESE, DPH, DMH, and subject-matter experts.

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

Sign in to ask a question.