Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Prevention: Suicide, Substance Abuse, Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying—Professional Development Requirements

The following are subtopics under the Prevention: Suicide, Substance Abuse, Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying professional development (PD) requirements:

  • Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-17b and c., N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.7)
  • Recognition of Substance Abuse (N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-15, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-3.1(a)(4))
  • Suicide Prevention (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-112)

PD Requirements

Note: N/A means not applicable.

Prevention Subtopics
Subtopic Recipients (As described in law) Time Notes
Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
  • Contracted service providers
  • Public school teachers
  • School employees
  • Volunteers with student contact
  • Annually: training on district policy
  • 2 hours per 5 years: training on prevention
 Keeping Our Kids Safe—HIB
Recognition of Substance Abuse Public school instructional teachers
  • No minimum requirement
  • Training must be reviewed and updated annually
 N/A
Suicide Prevention Teaching Staff Members (Similar to “school staff,” a member of the professional staff of any board of education who holds a valid and effective standard, provisional or emergency certificate, including teachers, administrators, school nurse, and school athletic trainer. N.J.S.A. 18A:1-1.) 2 hours per 5 years Instruction must be provided by a licensed health care professional with training and experience in mental health issues.

Note about hours for HIB and Suicide Prevention

The language of the statute stipulates the required number of hours per professional development period. The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) currently interprets this professional development period to be for five years, as this statute was passed prior to July 2013, when teachers were required to complete 100 hours of professional development every five years. Because the professional development cycle changed to a one-year cycle in July 2013, the NJDOE recommends that, if not prescribed otherwise, teachers receive the required training in their first year of service and then at least every five years thereafter.