Committee Hears Pushback on Bill to Reduce School Suicide-Prevention Training

The House Education Policy Committee heard mixed testimony on HB 1635, a bill to change the frequency of suicide‑prevention training for school personnel from an annual two‑hour requirement to training within 30 days of hire and every two years thereafter. Representative Margaret Drei, a cosponsor, said the change aims to reduce burdens on small districts that found annual refreshers onerous and to ensure new hires receive timely training. "This makes it a little easier for groups to make sure that they're getting the training they need," Drei said.

Mental‑health advocates and family members testified strongly against the bill. Lindsey Gilbert, executive director of the Connors Climb Foundation, said HB 1635 "weakens New Hampshire's suicide‑prevention protections" by removing minimum hours and annual refreshers and by allowing training to be delivered passively. "Suicide prevention training is not a one‑time requirement. It's a life‑saving skill," Gilbert told the committee.

Martha Dickey, who identified herself as a mother who lost a son to suicide, said she was "shocked" to learn of efforts to roll back components of previously passed legislation and urged the panel to reject HB 1635. Holly Stevens of NAMI New Hampshire presented state data showing suicide remains a leading cause of death among youth and testified that reducing training frequency would increase risk. Catherine Cox, the statewide suicide‑prevention coordinator at the Department of Health and Human Services, provided context from recent state reports and urged the committee to consider the higher-than‑national average suicide rate and the role schools play in prevention.

Several lawmakers sought compromise on timing and delivery. Committee members pressed sponsors on whether the bill would allow online modules or private, asynchronous training and how the 30‑day requirement would work for hires made in summer months. Several witnesses said online options exist but recommended in‑person refreshers when possible. The sponsor acknowledged the language was open to amendment to address concerns about substitutes, long‑term hires and timeline practicality.

The hearing closed with the committee receiving written testimony from additional stakeholders. No vote was taken; next steps will depend on committee action and any proposed amendments.