1. (a) For purposes of this section, "teacher" includes the following:

   1. (1) A superintendent who holds a license under IC 20-28-5 .
   2. (2) A principal.
   3. (3) A teacher.
   4. (4) A librarian.
   5. (5) A school counselor.
   6. (6) A school psychologist.
   7. (7) A school nurse.
   8. (8) A school social worker.

2. (b) Beginning after June 30, 2018, each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school:

   1. (1) shall require all teachers; and

   2. (2) may require any other appropriate school employees;

      who are employed at schools that provide instruction to students in any combination of grade 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 to attend or participate in research based inservice youth suicide awareness and prevention training in a manner prescribed by the state board under IC 20-28-5.5-1 . The training required under this subsection must be during the teacher's or school employee's contracted day or at a time chosen by the teacher or employee.

3. (c) The inservice training required under this section shall count toward the requirements for professional development required by the governing body.

4. (d) A school or school corporation may leverage any:

   1. (1) existing or new state and federal grant funds; or

   2. (2) free or reduced cost evidence based youth suicide awareness and prevention training provided by any state agency or qualified statewide or local organization;

      to cover the costs of the training required under this section.

As added by P.L.254-2017, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.56-2018, SEC.3; P.L.92-2020, SEC.47.