Memo identifies effective model policies and practices to promote positive social emotional climate in schools.

I. There is established a commission to develop and promote mental health curriculum and behavioral health and wellness education programs in kindergarten through grade 12. II. The members of the commission shall be as follows: (a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. (b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate. (c) One teacher of health or related subjects, appointed by the governor. (d) One member of the New Hampshire School Boards Association, appointed by the association. (e) One member of the New Hampshire Association of School Principals, appointed by the association. (f) One member of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, appointed by the association. (g) One member of the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators, appointed by the association. (h) One member of the New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists, appointed by the association. (i) One member of the New Hampshire Psychological Association, appointed by the association. (j) One member of the Institute on Disability of the university of New Hampshire, appointed by the institute. (k) One member of the New Hampshire Center for Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports, appointed by the center. (l) One representative of a New Hampshire mental health center, appointed by the governor. (m) One school resource officer, appointed by the governor. (n) One representative of the student assistance program of the department of health and human services, appointed by the commissioner. (o) One school nurse, appointed by the New Hampshire School Nurses’ Association, appointed by the association. (p) One member of the Manchester health department, appointed by the director. (q) One New Hampshire pediatrician, appointed by the New Hampshire Medical Society. (r) One representative of the office of behavioral health, department of health and human services, appointed by the commissioner. (s) One member of NAMI New Hampshire, appointed by the alliance. (t) One member of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, appointed by the foundation. (u) One member of the New Hampshire School Counselor Association, appointed by the association. (v) One staff member of the department of education with expertise in health care, health education, or curriculum development, appointed by the commissioner of education. (w) One teacher of health or related subjects, appointed by NEA-NH. III. The commission shall: (a) Examine the K-12 mental health curriculum and social and emotional learning programs for all grade levels as a way to establish a culture of mental health in schools that adheres to safety protocols, is free of the stigmatization of mental health challenges, and reduces or prevents harm or violence. (b) Determine methods for providing help for students in kindergarten through grade 12 who are experiencing a mental health challenge. (c) Assess possible threats posed by individuals or groups exhibiting warning signs or pre-incident indicators. (d) Review the state’s anti-bullying laws and recommend any needed updates to RSA 193-F. (e) Determine ways to expand community and not-for-profit mental health services. (f) Develop an age-appropriate school outreach program that educates staff and students on reducing the stigma of mental illness and what to do when someone is in crisis. (g) Increase and promote Mental Health First Aid to school staff, students, and families to provide the school community with the resources to effectively manage a mental health incident. (h) Develop a threat assessment task force at the community or district level that engages the local public health network, including an intervention and reporting protocol that evaluates students quickly and efficiently and provides a plan to help appropriately return students to school. (i) Increase and promote evidence-based best practice suicide prevention to ensure assessors use the latest Standard, knowledge, and techniques. (j) Include instruction regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. (k) Determine methodologies for implementing recommendations of the governor’s school safety preparedness task force. (l) Examine and develop methodologies for implementing applicable recommendations of the 2018 10-year mental health plan of the department of health and human services, when completed. IV. The chairperson may assign members to subgroups to accomplish the duties of the commission. V. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission. VI. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Fourteen members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. VII. The commission shall submit interim reports of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on January 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and a final report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on November 30, 2020. The reports shall evaluate the implementation of recommendations.

III.  The department of education may develop a model policy in accordance with the requirements set forth in this chapter which may be used by schools, school districts, and chartered public schools as a basis for adopting a local policy.

I. Each school district and chartered public school shall annually report substantiated incidents of bullying or cyberbullying to the department of education. Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g, such reports shall not contain any personally identifiable information pertaining to any pupil. The department shall develop a form to facilitate the reporting by school districts and chartered public schools. The department shall maintain records of such reports. II. The department of education shall prepare an annual report of substantiated incidents of bullying or cyberbullying in the schools. The report shall include the number and types of such incidents in the schools and shall be submitted to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the chairpersons of the house and senate education committees. The department of education shall assist school districts with recommendations for appropriate actions to address identified problems with pupil safety and violence prevention.`