1. The governing body of each private school that provides instruction to pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, 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, intervention with a pupil who is at risk of suicide and responding to a suicide or attempted suicide to mitigate the effects of the suicide or attempted suicide on pupils and staff at the school;

(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, intervention with a pupil who is at risk of suicide or response to a suicide or attempted 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.

3. The policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1 may 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. Each private school that maintains an Internet website shall post on the Internet website 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, 1769, effective July 1, 2021)