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Bill Summary · HB 3024

What this bill does (high-level)

HB 3024 aims to strengthen and expand mental health education and suicide prevention in Missouri public schools. It introduces required suicide prevention training for teachers and staff, expands mental health awareness instruction to additional grade levels, standardizes model policies, and creates a state-backed virtual tool to connect students and families with mental health resources. It also mandates specific contact information on student ID cards and codifies timelines and policy updates.

Main purpose and intent

  • Improve early identification and support for students at risk of suicide or experiencing mental health challenges.
  • Ensure consistent suicide prevention training and mental health education across districts.
  • Provide districts with a centralized, Department-approved framework and resources (including a digital tool) to assist students seeking help.
  • Normalize ongoing, age-appropriate mental health literacy from middle school through high school.

Key provisions and changes

  1. 170.047 – Suicide prevention training for educators

    • 2017-18 to 2022-23: licensed educators may complete up to 2 hours of youth suicide awareness as part of professional development.
    • 2023-24 onward: practicing teacher assistance programs must offer at least 2 hours of in-service suicide prevention training for all teachers; attendance counts toward professional development requirements.
    • The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will develop training guidelines, with third-party materials allowed.

  2. 170.048 – District policies and model policy; Suicide prevention requirements

    • By July 1, 2018: districts must adopt a youth suicide awareness and prevention policy.
    • By July 1, 2017: DESE to develop a model policy; districts provide feedback every three years regarding its implementation.
    • By July 1, 2025: public and charter schools serving grades 7–12 must print on pupil IDs:
      • Three-digit Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number (988) and local police nonemergency number.
      • May also include Crisis Text Line (text 741741) and local suicide prevention hotline, if available.
    • If unissued cards exist in 2025, districts can issue those first until depleted.
    • Updates to policy required for 2027-28 and onward, including Columbia Protocol (C-SSRS) training and the DESE virtual tool training.

  3. 170.307 – Mental health awareness instruction (Brennan’s Law)

    • 2022-23 onward: high school students must receive mental health awareness instruction; districts integrate into existing health/PE curriculum.
    • 2027-28 onward: instruction must be meaningful and regular; include suicide awareness at an age-appropriate level, information about the Suicide Lifeline (988), tools to identify signs (including C-SSRS), strategies for helping at-risk students, and additional supportive resources.
    • By 2027-28: mandatory mental health awareness training for students before entering grade nine (i.e., completion by grades 5–8 prior to high school).
    • Districts serving grades 5–8 must provide age-appropriate mental health instruction.
    • DESE to develop a model curriculum; rules will be subject to standard rulemaking protections.

  4. 630.099 – DESE/MDH virtual mental health tool

    • By July 1, 2027: Missouri’s Department of Mental Health (Children’s Office) must develop and implement a virtual tool to improve access to mental health resources.
    • Tool features: information for individuals seeking help, an online resource directory, screening questions, assessment capabilities to guide help-seeking, and additional resources as deemed necessary.

  5. General provisions

    • DESE may promulgate rules to implement these sections.
    • The bill emphasizes adherence to Chapter 536 for rulemaking processes.

Who would be affected

  • Students: Grades 5–12 would receive expanded mental health and suicide prevention instruction; middle-schoolers would have early exposure under Brennan’s Law.
  • Teachers and school staff: Required participation in suicide prevention training; ongoing professional development counted toward certification standards.
  • School districts and charter schools: Required to adopt policies, implement model policies, and update curricula; ensure ID cards reflect lifeline and emergency numbers.
  • Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Develop guidelines, model policies, and curricula; oversee implementation and updates; coordinate with third-party providers.
  • Missouri Department of Mental Health (Children’s Office): Develop and deploy the statewide virtual mental health tool.

Timelines and procedural notes

  • 2017-18 to 2022-23: Up to 2 hours of youth suicide prevention PD for licensed educators (historical baseline).
  • 2023-24 onward: districts must offer at least 2 hours of suicide prevention in-service training for all practicing teachers; eligible for credit under professional development.
  • By July 1, 2017 and 2018 milestones: model policy created; districts adopt local policies.
  • By July 1, 2025: requirement to print 988 Lifeline and local emergency numbers on pupil IDs for grades 7–12; potential continuation with additional crisis resources.
  • 2027-28 and subsequent years: expansion of suicide prevention and mental health instruction to grades 5–8; mandatory inclusion of C-SSRS training and the DESE virtual tool; updates to model policies and curricula; formalization of Brennan’s Law.
  • DESE and MDH rulemaking processes: subject to standard Missouri rulemaking and review procedures.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Promotes proactive mental health literacy and timely intervention in schools.
  • Creates a unified framework and resource hub (including a digital tool) to support students, families, and school personnel.
  • Requires districts to allocate time and resources for training, policy development, and curriculum updates.
  • Builds stronger linkages between school-based services and community mental health resources.

If you’d like, I can provide a comparison with prior Missouri law or outline potential questions for stakeholders and policymakers.

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

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