Relates to encouraging school districts to include a mental health curriculum in their course of instruction

1 Co-sponsor

• Robert Ortt

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to a mental health education curriculum

Purpose

To update the statute relating to health education to properly reflect the content currently taught in schools.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 : Legislative intent.

Section 2: Amends section 804 of the education law.

Section 3: Sets forth an immediate effective date.

Justification

The Legislature recognizes the importance of providing a quality education to all New York students. Quality education must continue to include comprehensive health education. While schools presently provide instruction in health education, it is important that the law provide the flexibility to reflect current learning standards and curriculum development as administered by the New York State Education Department and local school districts. Furthermore, it is important that the statute recognize developing technology and existing curriculum materials to ensure that schools and teachers are provided with the most beneficial health education information, and that both health and mental health are taught with the idea of prevention, cure and control and without stigma or emotional harm. The law should provide flexibility to allow the Commissioner to respond to the changing needs of the educational community to provide students with the tools and resources to live healthy lives, as it will only serve to improve educational performance and student outcomes.

School districts are faced with numerous challenges. Recent events have highlighted the importance of keeping students and educators safe in schools. An integral component of school safety is mental health. School districts are on the front lines of providing resources for students who may be exhibiting behaviors that indicate a need for mental health support. It is vital that the law be updated to reflect the current work of school districts in supporting their staff and students. Additionally, because educators are in the best position to determine how student progress is measured, this bill seeks to update the statute to ensure that health education assessments are determined at the local level.

Legislative history

2015: S. 2585 Passed Senate 2014: S. 5359-A - Passed Senate

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, provided that any rules or regulations necessary for implementation shall be promulgated.