A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to direct the state board of education to recommend steps necessary to transition to a competency‑based assessment and teaching model for all elementary and secondary students in north carolina and to require public school units to adopt and to implement a suicide risk referral protocol, a mental health training program, and a policy against teen dating violence and abuse.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. COMPETENCY‑BASED ASSESSMENTS AND TEACHING MODEL
SECTION 1.(a)  Pursuant to the intent of the General Assembly expressed in Section 8.12 of Session Law 2015‑241, the State Board of Education shall determine and analyze the steps necessary to transition to a competency‑based assessment and teaching model for all elementary and secondary students. Based on its analysis, the State Board shall recommend transition steps that accomplish the following competency‑based objectives:
(1)	Students advance upon mastery.
(2)	Competencies are broken down into explicit and measurable learning objectives.
(3)	Assessment is meaningful for students, accomplishes the goals of the statewide testing program for measuring student achievement and student growth, and complies with the conditions of federal grant funds.
(4)	Students receive differentiated support based on their learning needs.
(5)	Learning outcomes emphasize competencies that include the application and creation of knowledge.
In conducting its analysis, the State Board shall examine (i) competency‑based assessments in other states, including potential benefits and obstacles to implementing similar systems in North Carolina, (ii) the relationship between competency‑based assessments and innovative teaching methods utilized in North Carolina schools, and (iii) any other considerations the Board deems relevant to transitioning to a competency‑based assessment and teaching model. No later than May 15, 2020, the State Board shall submit a report of its analysis and recommended transition steps to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.
SECTION 1.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

PART II. SUICIDE RISK REFERRAL PROTOCOL AND MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING PROGRAMS
SECTION 2.(a)  G.S. 115C‑47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(64)	To adopt a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program. – Each local board of education shall adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program for school personnel who work directly with students in grades kindergarten through 12, as required by G.S. 115C‑375.11."
SECTION 2.(b)  G.S. 115C‑218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(g)	Suicide Risk Referral Protocol and Mental Health Training Program. – A charter school shall adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program in accordance with G.S. 115C‑375.11."
SECTION 2.(c)  G.S. 115C‑238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(14)	Suicide risk referral protocol and mental health training program. – The board of directors shall adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program in accordance with G.S. 115C‑375.11."
SECTION 2.(d)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(17)	Suicide risk referral protocol and mental health training program. – The chancellor shall adopt and ensure implementation of a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program in accordance with G.S. 115C‑375.11."
SECTION 2.(e)  The title of Article 25A of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"Article 25A.
"Special Medical Needs and Mental Health Needs of Students."
SECTION 2.(f)  Article 25A of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 115C‑375.11.  Suicide risk referral protocol and mental health training program required.
(a)	Each public school unit shall adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol for school personnel who work directly with students in grades kindergarten through 12. The protocol shall, at a minimum, do all of the following:
(1)	Inform school personnel of suicide risk referral procedures, including the provision of training.
(2)	Establish crisis teams.
(3)	Inform school personnel on how to identify and intervene in appropriate situations.
(b)	Each public school unit shall adopt and implement a mental health training program for school personnel who work directly with students in grades kindergarten through 12. The mental health training program adopted by a public school unit shall address the following topics:
(1)	Youth mental health.
(2)	Suicide prevention.
(3)	Substance abuse.
(4)	Sexual abuse prevention.
(5)	Sex trafficking prevention.
(c)	Public school units shall periodically review and update their adopted suicide risk referral protocols and mental health training programs, as necessary.
(d)	For the purposes of this section, "school personnel" are teachers, instructional support personnel, principals, and assistant principals. This term may also include, in the discretion of the public school unit, other school employees who work directly with students in grades kindergarten through 12.
(e)	Nothing in this section shall be construed to impose an additional duty on any public school unit or its employees, to provide referrals, suicide prevention measures, or mental health services to students of the unit.
(f)	No public school unit or its members, employees, designees, agents, or volunteers shall be liable in civil damages to any party for any loss or damage caused by any act or omission relating to the provision of, participation in, or implementation of any component of a suicide risk referral protocol or mental health training program required by this section, unless that act or omission amounts to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impose any specific duty of care or standard of care on an public school unit."
SECTION 2.(g)  The State Board of Education shall adopt a school‑based model suicide risk referral protocol and model mental health training program in accordance with this act not later than December 1, 2020. The model suicide risk referral protocol and model mental health training program shall meet the requirements developed by the Superintendent's Working Group on Health and Well Being in its October 15, 2018, report pursuant to Section 5 of S.L. 2018‑32. Each public school unit required by Sections 2.(a), (b), (c), and (d) to adopt and implement a suicide referral protocol and mental health training program shall do so by July 1, 2021. A public school unit may use the model suicide risk referral protocol and model mental health training program developed by the State Board of Education, modify the State Board of Education models, or develop their own models.
SECTION 2.(h)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

PART III. TEEN DATING VIOLENCE POLICY
SECTION 3.(a)  G.S. 115C‑47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(65)	To Adopt a Policy Against Teen Dating Violence. – Each local board of education shall adopt and implement a dating violence and abuse policy. The policy shall do all of the following:
a.	Define dating violence and abuse.
b.	Prohibit dating violence and abuse by any student on school property, including during a school‑sponsored activity or during school‑sponsored transportation.
c.	Provide procedures for responding to such incidents of dating violence or abuse, including accommodations for students experiencing dating violence or abuse.
d.	Be implemented in a manner that is integrated with the discipline policies of the school."
SECTION 3.(b)  G.S. 115C‑81.30(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(14)	Teach about dating violence and abuse, as defined in the local board policy adopted under G.S. 115C‑47(65)."
SECTION 3.(c)  G.S. 115C‑218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(h)	Policy Against Teen Dating Violence. – A charter school shall adopt and implement a dating violence and abuse policy. The policy shall do all of the following:
(1)	Define dating violence and abuse.
(2)	Prohibit dating violence and abuse by any student on school property, including during a school‑sponsored activity or during school‑sponsored transportation.
(3)	Provide procedures for responding to such incidents of dating violence or abuse, including accommodations for students experiencing dating violence or abuse.
(4)	Be implemented in a manner that is integrated with the discipline policies of the school."
SECTION 3.(d)  G.S. 115C‑218.85(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(6)	The school shall teach about dating violence and abuse, as defined in the policy adopted under G.S. 115C‑218.75(h). If the school has a reproductive health and safety education program, instruction on dating violence and abuse shall be incorporated into the program."
SECTION 3.(e)  G.S. 115C‑238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(15)	Policy against teen dating violence. – The board of directors shall adopt and implement a dating violence and abuse policy. The policy shall do all of the following:
a.	Define dating violence and abuse.
b.	Prohibit dating violence and abuse by any student on school property, including during a school‑sponsored activity or during school‑sponsored transportation.
c.	Provide procedures for responding to such incidents of dating violence or abuse, including accommodations for students experiencing dating violence or abuse.
d.	Be implemented in a manner that is integrated with the discipline policies of the school."
SECTION 3.(f)  G.S. 115C‑238.66(1) is amended by adding a new sub‑subdivision to read:
"f.	The board of directors shall ensure that instruction on dating violence and abuse is provided, as defined in the policy adopted under G.S. 115C‑238.66(15). If the school has a reproductive health and safety education program, instruction on dating violence and abuse shall be incorporated into the program."
SECTION 3.(g)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(18)	Policy against teen dating violence. – The chancellor shall adopt and ensure implementation of a dating violence and abuse policy. The policy shall do all of the following:
a.	Define dating violence and abuse.
b.	Prohibit dating violence and abuse by any student on school property, including during a school‑sponsored activity or during school‑sponsored transportation.
c.	Provide procedures for responding to such incidents of dating violence or abuse, including accommodations for students experiencing dating violence or abuse.
d.	Be implemented in a manner that is integrated with the discipline policies of the school."
SECTION 3.(h)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b)(2) is amended by adding a new sub‑subdivision to read:
"e.	The board of directors shall ensure that instruction on dating violence and abuse is provided, as defined in the policy adopted under G.S. 115C‑239.8(b)(18). If the school has a reproductive health and safety education program, instruction on dating violence and abuse shall be incorporated into the program."
SECTION 3.(i)  This section is effective when it becomes law. Each public school unit required by Sections 3.(a), (c), (e), and (g) to adopt and implement a policy against teen dating violence shall do so by July 1, 2020. Each public school unit required by Sections 3.(b), (d), (f), and (h) to provide instruction on dating violence and abuse shall do so beginning with the 2020‑2021 school year.

PART IV. EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 4.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.