This Act establishes a mental health services unit for Delaware elementary schools. The unit is at a ratio of 250 full-time equivalent students grades K-5 for a full-time school counselor, school social worker, or licensed clinical social worker. Additionally a unit ratio of 700 full time equivalent students for grades K-5 for employment of a full-time school psychologist. This Act defines “mental health services” as prevention, response, and coordination services delivered to students in elementary schools. Mental Health disorders are the most common health problem for school aged youth. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in five youth are affected by a mental health disorder. Additionally, 50% of lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14. Untreated mental illness leads to negative outcomes including increased risk of dropout, homelessness, substance abuse, other chronic illnesses, incarceration, and possibly suicide. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, ninety percent of people who have taken their own life have had an underlying mental health condition, and suicides are on the rise. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suicides are now the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-14. Delaware schools need trained and experienced mental health professionals to provide prevention and support programs and services to students. Currently, as reported by Delaware school districts, 86% of elementary schools do not employ a school social worker, and ratios of students to school counselors and school psychologists far exceed national best practices. This bill will lower ratios and increase access to mental health services for elementary school students.
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This Act requires high needs elementary schools, including high needs elementary charter schools, to have school-based health centers. The State will pay the start-up costs for each school-based health center at 2 centers per year until each high needs elementary school has a center. High needs elementary schools are defined as any elementary school in the top quartile of 3 or more in percentage of low-income students, percentage of English learners, percentage of students with disabilities, percentage of minority students, or having 90% of its students classified as low-income, English learners, or minority. This act also allows high needs elementary schools having pre-existing school-based health centers to apply for reimbursement of previously expended funds necessary to establish said health center.
This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Delaware Contractors Association.
This Act increases the penalties for parking in an area designated for a vehicle being used by an individual with a disability. For a subsequent offense, this Act increases the potential minimum imprisonment from 10 days to 15 days and the potential maximum imprisonment from 30 days to 35 days. The offenses subject to the increased penalty are included without change in lines 4 through 27 to add context. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
This Joint Resolution designates Sheri J. Knott as Bill Clerk of the House of Representatives and Dolores Michels as Assistant Bill Clerk of the House of Representative to serve at the pleasure of the House of Representatives.
This Concurrent Resolution recommends the Delaware Judiciary assess the implementation of Interim Rule 5.2 and collaborate with criminal justice stakeholders to finalize a court rule focused on balancing continued efforts to release defendants who should not be held pre-trial and to protect the public from defendants accused of violent crimes.
This Act appropriates $39,117,700 to provide one-time funded projects through the Office of Management and Budget.
This Bill is the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Act.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution continues the Motorcycle Rider Education Advisory Committee, which must meet at least quarterly to monitor the Motorcycle Rider Education Program, and assess the future needs of and recommend improvements to the Program.