Youth suicide, genocide may see discussion in Pa. schools

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania schools could soon be encouraged to teach about youth suicide prevention and the history of genocide, under two separate measures headed to Gov. Tom Corbett’s desk.

Both bills passed the state House of Representatives today.

Under one bill, each school will be required to develop a youth suicide awareness and prevention policy. Teachers will receive instruction on it and schools can choose to work it into the curriculum for students in grades six through 12.

The other bill would require the state Department of Education to distribute curriculum materials on the Holocaust, genocide and human-rights violations to each school and offer training for teachers on the subject.

Both policies would begin in the 2015-16 school year.