A. All certificated school personnel who have direct contact with students on a regular basis shall complete training on or before December 1 of each year, by a method determined by each county board, in the skills required to:

• (1) Understand and respond to youth suicide risk;
• (2) Understand and respond to student mental health, student trauma, student safety and other topics related to student social and emotional well-being; and
• (3) Identify professional resources to help students in crisis.

B. The training required by § A of this regulation shall be:

• (1) Provided to certificated school personnel during an in-service program; or
• (2) A professional development requirement that may be met during time designated for professional development.

(a)  In general. -- On or before July 1, 2016, the Board shall require a certificate holder applying for renewal of a certificate as a school counselor to have obtained training in, by a method determined by the Board, the knowledge and skills required to understand and respond to the social, emotional, and personal development of students, including knowledge and skills relating to:

• (1) The recognition of indicators of mental illness and behavioral distress, including depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse; and
• (2) The identification of professional resources to help students in crisis.

(b)  Training may exceed training required of other personnel. -- The training required under subsection (a) of this section shall be commensurate with the duties of a school counselor and may exceed the training required of other school personnel under § 6-122 of this title.

(c)  Regulations. -- The Board shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section.