Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- Some state lawmakers want educators to join the fight to prevent suicide in teens.
A new bill passed a house subcommittee Wednesday morning with support from the community as well.
It's called the the "Jason Flatt Act," and it would would require employees at middle and high schools to complete two hours of youth suicide prevention training to renew their certification.
Jason Flatt, a Tennessee teen, committed suicide at age 16 in 1997. His family later started the Jason Foundation, a non-profit organization, to raise awareness about youth suicide.
South Carolina's Department of Education would set guidelines for the programs and materials, but the choice would be up to individual districts. The department along with the Palmetto State Teachers Association told the subcommittee they support the bill.
"Raising of the awareness and the alertness of what's going on in the lives of these young people is the intent of this legislation and it has shown that doing so through the education arena is one of the most effective ways," said Republican Rep. Phil Owens of Pickens County.
Owens says the two hours of training would count towards the 120 hours teachers must acquire for re-certification.
The measure will move to a full committee for a vote. Similar bills have been passed in at least five other state's across the country.