Pupil instruction: health framework: mental health instruction.

Existing law requires the State Department of Education to prepare and distribute to school districts guidelines for the preparation of comprehensive health education plans, and requires approval of district plans to be made in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Education. Existing law also establishes the Instructional Quality Commission and requires the commission to, among other things, recommend curriculum frameworks to the state board. This bill would require, during the next revision of the publication "Health Framework for California Public Schools," the commission to consider developing, and recommending for adoption by the state board, a distinct category on mental health instruction, as described, to educate pupils about all aspects of mental health. The bill would require the commission to ensure that one or more experts in the mental health and educational fields provides input in the development of the mental health instruction in the health framework, as provided.