07/18/2008 GAAS:544:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs the Jason Flatt Act to Help Prevent Youth Suicide
Today Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Jason Flatt Act, SB 1378 by Senator Robert Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), which seeks to help prevent youth suicide. The bill authorizes school districts to use a portion of their Professional Development Block Grant funding to pay for suicide prevention training for school teachers.
According to the bill, suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people 15-24 and the fourth leading cause for children 10-14 years of age. The bill would allow for teachers to receive up to two hours of suicide prevention training during one of their regularly scheduled training days, so they are able to help recognize the warning signs of youth suicide.
"Losing even one young life to suicide is one too many - and that is why I signed the Jason Flatt Act today," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "It's my sincere hope other states will follow our lead in helping ensure teachers across the nation are trained to recognize the warning signs of youth suicide."
The bill is named after Jason Flatt, who committed suicide at age 16. The bill received support from The Jason Foundation (sponsor), the California Teachers Association and various California hospitals and other organizations.
