2021 Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 388 - System of Public Instruction
NRS 388.256 - Development and contents of policy for prevention of suicide in certain grades; duty of Department to develop model policy; posting of link to Internet website of Coordinator of Statewide Program for Suicide Prevention.
1. The board of trustees of each school district, the governing body of each charter school that provides instruction to pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, and the governing body of each university school for profoundly gifted pupils shall, in consultation with pupils, parents or guardians of pupils, school employees, persons who provide mental health services to pupils, persons and organizations with expertise in the prevention of suicide and other interested persons and entities:
(a) Adopt a policy for the prevention of suicide in grades 7 to 12, inclusive; and
(b) Review the policy at least once every 5 years and update the policy as necessary.
2. The policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must include, without limitation:
(a) Procedures for the prevention of suicide and intervention with a pupil who is at risk of suicide;
(b) Procedures for outreach to persons and organizations in the community in which the school is located, including, without limitation, religious and other nonprofit organizations, that may be able to assist with the prevention of suicide or intervention with a pupil who is at risk of suicide; and
(c) Required training for teachers and pupils concerning the prevention of suicide. Such training:
(1) Must include, without limitation, instruction concerning the identification of:
(I) Appropriate mental health services at the school and in the community in which the school is located and when and how to refer pupils and their families for such services; and
(II) Other persons and organizations in the community in which the school is located, including, without limitation, religious and other nonprofit organizations, that may be able to assist with the response to a suicide.
(2) May include, without limitation, the review of appropriate materials concerning the prevention of suicide or participation in the program of training established pursuant to paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of NRS 388.1342.
3. The policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must address the needs of groups of pupils at a high risk of suicide, including, without limitation:
(a) Pupils affected by a suicide;
(b) Pupils with disabilities, mental illness or substance use disorders;
(c) Pupils who reside in settings other than a traditional home, including, without limitation, foster care and homelessness;
(d) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning pupils; and
(e) Any other group that scientific research indicates to be at a high risk of suicide.
4. The policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must not require or authorize a school employee to provide services which he or she is not licensed to provide, including, without limitation, services related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
5. The Department, in consultation with the Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment created by NRS 388.1323 and the Statewide Program for Suicide Prevention created by NRS 439.511, shall develop a model policy on the prevention of suicide in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, to provide guidance to:
(a) Boards of trustees of school districts and governing bodies of charter schools and university schools for profoundly gifted pupils in the adoption of policies pursuant to subsection 1; and
(b) Governing bodies of private schools in the adoption of policies pursuant to NRS 394.1693.
6. The Department, each school district and each public school that maintains an Internet website shall post on the Internet website maintained by the Department, school district or public school, as applicable, a link to the Internet or network site maintained by the Coordinator of the Statewide Program for Suicide Prevention pursuant to NRS 439.511.
(Added to NRS by 2019, 1760)
