What's happening
This bill requires pediatric primary care physicians in New York to complete continuing education on children's mental health to maintain their licenses.
Why it matters
Addresses a growing concern. By mandating continuing education on children’s mental health, the bill responds to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders among youth, ensuring that pediatricians are better prepared to recognize and address these issues early.
Standardizes mental health training. The requirement that pediatric primary care physicians complete specific coursework (including Project TEACH trainings) helps ensure that all providers have a consistent baseline of up-to-date knowledge and skills for mental health assessment and intervention.
Improves care coordination. Training through established programs like Project TEACH can enhance collaboration between pediatricians and mental health specialists, potentially leading to faster referrals, more integrated care, and improved outcomes for children and families.
Signals policy priority. By tying license renewal to mental health education, New York is elevating the importance of mental health within pediatric care, which may set a precedent for future policies or influence other states to take similar action.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Mental Health Training
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7032
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2020
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to mandating continuing medical education for pediatric primary care physicians on the topic of children's mental health
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 6524 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 12 to read as follows:
(12) Continuing medical education: all pediatric primary care physicians, in order to maintain their license in good standing, shall be required to complete a continuing medical education course on the topic of children's mental health. Such course shall include trainings provided by the office of mental health Project TEACH program. The regulations of such course shall be prescribed by the department and the office of the professions.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14474-01-9
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 mandating continuing medical education for pediatric primary care physicians on the topic of children's mental health
Purpose or general idea of the bill
To require pediatric primary care physicians to engage in continued education on children's mental health.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one of the bill amends the education law by adding a new subdi- vision 12 as it relates to requiring pediatric primary care physicians to complete continuing medical education on children's mental health. Further, subdivision 12 mandates the inclusion of trainings from the Office of Mental Health's Project Teach Program in the continuing medical education curriculum. Finally, subdivision 12 prompts the New York State Education Department and Office of Professions to promulgate regulations on such course.
Section two of the bill sets the effective date.
Justification
Fifty percent of all chronic mental illnesses begin by age fourteen. Further, suicide is the third leading cause of death for those aged ten to fourteen. In order to effectively address developing mental illnesses and curb the rising suicide rate among children, we must prioritize early detection and prevention. However, early detection and prevention can only be achieved when physicians are educated on the signs and symp- toms of developing mental illnesses. We must continually equip our pediatric physicians with the most up-to-date tools and knowledge neces- sary to diagnose and treat these developing mental illnesses. Doing so is necessary in order to preserve the mental and physical health of New York's children.
Legislative history
New Legislation.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.