(a)  The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop and prescribe a suicide prevention awareness program for public school students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12). The school committees of the several cities, towns, and school districts shall provide for the incorporation of the program in existing health education courses.

(b)  The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall institute workshops to be developed and provided by the Samaritans, Inc. for those public school teachers designated to teach the suicide prevention awareness program.