What's happening
This bill requires each New York school district to employ two qualified psychiatrists to provide and coordinate mental health services.
Why it matters
Expanding access to expert care. By requiring two qualified psychiatrists in every school district, the bill ensures students have direct access to mental health professionals with the highest level of training, rather than relying solely on counselors or social workers.
Coordinated mental health response. The psychiatrists will not only provide services themselves but also coordinate mental health efforts within schools, potentially leading to more integrated and effective support systems for students.
Earlier identification and intervention. Mandatory psychiatric appraisals may help schools identify students in need of mental health support earlier, addressing issues before they escalate and improving long-term outcomes for youth.
Resource and cost implications for districts. School districts will need to budget for and recruit these highly trained professionals, which could be challenging, especially in rural or underfunded areas, but may also signal a shift toward prioritizing mental health in education policy.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Hire Two School Psychiatrists
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Psychiatrists in Schools
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Nathalia Fernandez
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6516
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 14, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BAILEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring two qualified psychiatrists to be employed by each school district
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 902 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph c to read as follows:
c. The board of education, the trustee or board of trustees of each school district, shall employ, at a compensation to be agreed upon by the parties, two qualified psychiatrists as defined in section 9.01 of the mental hygiene law. Such qualified psychiatrists shall perform and coordinate the provision of mental health services in the public schools, and provide mental health appraisals of students attending the public schools in the district.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08665-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring two quali- fied psychiatrists to be employed by each school district
Purpose or general idea of bill
The act amends the education law two certified psychiatrists per district so that they can provide adequate mental health services to our students.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Subdivision 2 of section 902 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph c that states the board of education, the trustee, or board of trustees of each school district must employ 2 certified psychiatrists that will provide adequate mental health services.
Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
According to a study by the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 20% of youth ages 13-18 live with a mental health condition, 11% of youth have a mood disorder, and 10% of youth have behavior or conduct disorder. Or those students who have mental health issues, 50% drop out of high school.
These numbers are shocking. With growing levels of mental health illness within our student population, more has to be done to tackle such issues and help the students the best way we can. Often times, a school nurse or a guidance counselor is not adept to handle strict mental health issues and a more certified individual is required. As such, employing two certified psychiatrists per school district is a strong start to tackling this crisis and will help our most vulnerable students.
Legislative history
None
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be decided
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.