Senate File 337 (previously named Senate File 216) was approved by the Senate on March 13, 2013. The bill, presented by Brian Carico, would add suicide prevention and trauma care training for all teachers who are certified.

All certified teachers are required to be trained in OSHA regulations (Occupational Safety and Health), which include Blood Borne Pathogens and Mandatory Reporting for Child Abuse. Adding SF 337 would include suicide prevention tactics to the required training.

After passing out of subcommittee on Feb. 25, SF 337 was advanced to the Senate which passed on March 13. SF 337 is now waiting to be approved by the House.

If approved it will then need to be signed by Governor Terry Branstad to be officially made a bill.

“[SF 337] made it through what is called ‘Funnel Week’, Carico said. “Only so many bills are proposed that if it does not make it through the “funnel” it is automatically not discussed.”

SF 337 made it through the “funnel”, which means it was voted on by the Senate. After being voted on, it was then automatically presented to the House.

To help pass the bill, contacting local senators will further its progression. By going to the website https://www.legis.iowa.gov, students can write to local senators. Carico suggests to contact Representative Jake Highfill, who is a part of the Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Writing a letter is highly encouraged if the public wishes to see SF 337 to be made into a bill.